[The comparative characteristics of the work capacity of adult and older rats under positive and negative emotional reinforcement].

Age-dependent characteristics of motor activity during self-stimulation and active avoidance of stimulation of the hypothalamus were studied in rats. Capacity for work of the adult rats was found to be higher than that of the old ones during the positive as well as the negative emotional reinforcement. Age-dependent differences of the capacity for work were more expressed during the negative emotional reinforcement being connected with relatively fast destruction of motivational behaviour in the old animals.