[Relation between the effects of the memory neuromodulator arginine-vasopressin and the levels of activity of the serotonin-, dopamine- and noradrenergic systems of the brain].

The effect of vasopressin on learning, habituation and habit recovery in rat before and after electrolytic ablation of locus coeruleus, nuclei dorsalis et medialis raphe and pars compacta substantiae nigrae was studied by behavioural methods. The rats were learned with positive reinforcement in a T-shaped maze and with negative reinforcement in a U-shaped maze. It was found that improvement of trace consolidation and acceleration of learning were in many cases dependent on the activity level of the dophaminergic, noradrenergic and to a lesser degree on that of serotoninergic brain systems.