INFLUENCE OF BETA-CASOMORPHIN-7 ON THE LE VEL OF FOOD AND DEFENSIVE MOTIVATIONS IN DIFFERENT KINDS OF LEARNING

The effects of intraperitoneal administration of the heptapeptide beta -casomorphin-7 (beta-C-7) on learning were investigated in white rats using T-maze, active and passive avoidance tests. The substance inject ed in the dose of 5 mg/kg 5 min prior to training accelerated the acqu isition of food-reinforced task increasing the number of correct trial s in T-maze. The same injection in the dose of 1 mg/kg impaired the ac quisition of avoidance tasks. The heptapeptide didn't influence food m otivation and consolidation of memory trace. The data obtained support the idea that beta-C-7 attenuated manifestations of defensive motivat ion.