[The role of opioid neuropeptides and adrenocorticotropic hormone in the mechanisms compensating for disordered central nervous system functions during stimulation and after destruction of the limbic structures in the brain of the hedgehog Erinaceus auritus].

On the model of food behaviour of hedgehogs possibilities of disrupted acquired and congenital forms of nervous activity have been studied using opioid neuropeptides, beta-endorphin, met-enkephalin and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH). It was established that preliminary introduction of opioid neuropeptides removed inhibitory effects of stimulation of limbic cortex on conditioned-reflex brain activity. The influence of different neuropeptides on higher nervous activity and behaviour revealed strict tendency to specialization. In particular, at met-enkephalin introduction latent periods of conditioned food-procuring reactions were essentially shortened, fading inhibition was not developed and intersignal, motor and food excitement were increased. At beta-endorphin introduction formation of fading inhibition did ton differ from the one in norm. On the background of ACTH introduction incomplete removing of inhibitory effects of limbic cortex irritation was revealed. Met-enkephalin introduction to animals with broken limbic cortex and basolateral part of amygdala was accompanied by restoration of food-procuring, orientation-research and motor activity. Restoration of acquired forms of nervous activity was uncomplete and transitory. The problem of possibility of neurochemical compensation of disrupted functions in mammalian brain is discussed.