Horn I, Horn E
Physiol Behav. 1982 Mar;28(3):497-500. doi: 10.1016/0031-9384(82)90145-7.
Earlier observations on the influence of the ACTH molecule on habituation in toads revealed a capacity, which resembles the improvement of learning and memory processes in rats [6]. In the present investigation ACTH, ACTH1-10 and ACTH11-24 were tested on habituation of turning reaction, a stereotypic component of the prey catching behaviour in the European Toad, Bufo bufo L.. Furthermore the time relationship of the ACTH-effect was determined by injections at different times prior to the beginning of the habituation. ACTH as well as ACTH1-10 caused a dramatic decline in turning reactions per minute towards a prey dummy, when administered 30 min prior to habituation. Therefore, the capacity to facilitate behavioral adaptations must be located mainly in the first ten amino acids of ACTH.
