Amygdaloid lesions block the effect of neuropeptides (vasopressin, ACTH4–10) on avoidance behavior

Abstract

Lesions in the amygdaloid complex result in an increased activity of rats in open field behavior in that generally more exploration and rearing is observed as compared with sham-operated animals. No effect of the lesion was observed on acquisition and extinction of an active avoidance response, but the amygdala lesions block the inhibitory effect of the neuropeptides vasopressin and ACTH4–10 on extinction of a conditioned avoidance response.