Skip to main content
Log in

Effect of Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) on the Rate of Lever Pressing in Rats

  • Published:
The Psychological Record Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Six rats were trained to perform on a VI 15 second food reinforced schedule following 30 consecutive days of daily treatment with 160.0 mg./kg. RNA. Another group of six was similarly treated with saline. There was no difference in the mean number of sessions it took either group to achieve defined asymptotic behavior, but the RNA pretreated animals displayed a two-fold increase in response rate, during both acquisition and extinction. These findings are discussed in terms of “learning enhancement” experimentation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • BABICH, F. R., JACOBSON, A. L., BUBASH, SUZANNE, & JACOBSON, ANN. 1965. Transfer of a response to naive rats by injection of ribonucleic acid extracted from trained rats. Science, 149, 656–657.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • BARONDES, S. H. & JARVIK, M. E. 1964. The influence of actinomycin-D on brain Rna synthesis and on memory. J. Neurochem., 11, 187–195.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • CORNING, C. W. & JOHN, E. R. 1961. Effect of ribonuclease on retention of conditioned response in regenerated planarians. Science, 134, 1363–1365.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • COOK, L. 1964. Effects of drugs on operant conditioning. In H. Steinberg (Ed.) Animal behaviour and drug action. Boston: Little, Brown, Pp. 23–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • DEESE, J. 1958. The psychology of learning. New York: McGraw-Hill. Pp. 46–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • DINGMAN, W. & SPORN, M. B. 1961. The incorporation of 8-azaguanine into rat brain Rna and its effect on maze-learning by the rat. An inquiry into the biochemical basis of memory. J. Psychiat Res., 1, 1–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • FERSTER, C. B. & SKINNER, B. F. 1957. Schedules of reinforcement. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • FLEXNER, J. B., FLEXNER, L. B., STELLAR, E., DE LA HABA, G., & ROBERTS, R. B. 1962. Inhibition of protein synthesis in brain and learning and memory following puromycin. J. Neurol. Chem., 9, 595–605.

    Google Scholar 

  • HARTY, A. L., KEITH-LEE, P. & MORTON, W. D. 1964. Planaria: Memory transfer through cannibalism re-examined. Science, 146, 274–275.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • HYDEN, H. 1961. Satellite cells in the nervous system. Sci. Am., 205, 62–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • JARVIK, M. E. 1964. The influence of drugs upon memory. In H. Steinberg (Ed.), Animal behaviour and drug action. Boston: Little, Brown. Pp. 44–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCONNELL, J. V. 1962. Memory transfer through cannibalism in planarians. J. Neuropsychiat., 3, 42–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • WEISS, B. & LATIES, V. G. 1962. Enhancement of human performance by caffeine and the amphetamines. Pharmacol. Rev., 14, 1–36.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

This work was done under Contract No. DA 18-108-AMC-108 (A) from the U. S. Army Chemical Research and Development Laboratories, Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland to Fmc Corporation, Princeton, New Jersey with Abbott Laboratories as subcontractor thereto.

In conducting the research reported herein, the investigators adhered to “Principles of Laboratory Animal Care” as established by the National Society for Medical Research.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Brown, H. Effect of Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) on the Rate of Lever Pressing in Rats. Psychol Rec 16, 173–176 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03393656

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03393656

Navigation