Effects of receptor blockers on ACTH-induced changes in extinction of active avoidance reflex in rat.

The actions of blockers of dopaminergic receptors (haloperidol), alpha-receptors (phenoxybenzamine), beta-receptors (propranolol) and muscarinic cholinergic receptor (atropine) on the ACTH-induced delay of the extinction of active avoidance behavior were studied in rats. In the doses used, none of the receptor blockers modified the extinction of active avoidance behavior. ACTH delayed the extinction. However, the dopamine receptor blocker (haloperidol) and the muscarinic cholinergic receptor blocker (atropine) did prevent the action of ACTH in delaying the extinction of active avoidance behavior, whereas the alpha-(phenoxybenzamine) and beta- (propranolol) receptor blockers were ineffective. The results suggest that mainly dopaminergic and cholinergic mediations are involved in the delaying action of ACTH on the extinction of active avoidance behavior.