BEHAVIORAL CHANGES FOLLOWING DISRUPTION OF CENTRAL CHOLINERGIC PATHWAYS

Used 56 adult cats to determine the behavioral effects of the disruption of central cholinergic pathways induced by: (1) direct injections of cholinergic blocking agents into the septum, and (2) intraperitoneal injections of centrally active cholinergic blocking agents. These procedures mimicked the effects of septal lesions on active-avoidance responding in that they impaired the acquisition of a shelf-jump avoidance task and facilitated the acquisition of a shuttle-box avoidance task. 2 measures of response inhibition failed to reveal any changes attributable to the disruption of central cholinergic pathways. Results support the hypothesis that some of the functions of the septum are mediated by cholinergic neurons. (17 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.