Abstract
The behavior of rats trained on an avoidance schedule was used to assess performance decrements at altitude. After adequate baseline behavior of 95±5% avoidance on three consecutive days was attained, the rats were subjected to hypobaric hypoxia (23,000 feet) for two or four hours prior to an experimental session. Performance in this environment was disrupted in that the animals responded primarily to the shock rather than an auditory or visual cue. Brain norepinephrine levels were reduced about 20% in untrained and performing rats at altitude. Inhibition of monoamine oxidase with tranylcypromine, 0.5 mg/kg, prevented the reduction in norepinephrine in untrained rats at altitude and increased the levels above normal in performing rats at altitude but did not improve the performance. The data suggest that alterations in the behavior of performing rats at altitude are not related to absolute levels of norepinephrine.
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In conducting the research described in this report, the investigators adhered to the “Guide for Laboratory Animal Facilities and Care”, as promulgated by the Committee on the Guide for Laboratory Animal Facilities and Care of the Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, National Academy of Sciences —National Research Council.
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Hurwitz, D.A., Robinson, S.M. & Barofsky, I. Behavioral decrements and brain catecholamine changes in rats exposed to hypobaric hypoxia. Psychopharmacologia 19, 26–33 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00403699
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00403699