Acquisition, retention, and extinction under conditions of water deprivation and of central cholinergic stimulation.

Abstract

The present experiments show that the effects of direct cholinergic stimulation in the [rat] lateral hypothalamus go beyond the mere initiation of drinking behavior. Central stimulation and water deprivation were analogous in eliciting consummatory behavior, in acquisition of straightaway approach and T-maze responses, in relearning of the T maze following a period of no practice, and in maintenance of these learned responses. Behavior acquired when the motivating conditions were present disappeared when they were removed; during their presence the behavior was rapidly extinguished when water reinforcement was not available.