Abstract
Eighteen subjects worked continuously for half an hour in a self-paced reaction task. Half of the subjects were injected with ACTH 4–10 (30 mg/s.c.) and the other half with a placebo.
The subjects injected with ACTH 4–10 showed a larger improvement in reaction time during the experimental session than the placebo group. However, this effect disappeared in a short retest, which was given half an hour after the experimental session.
These results suggest that ACTH 4–10 has no effect on skill acquisition, but counteracts the build-up of reactive inhibition during the experimental session; that is, the peptide suppresses the decrease in motivation, which usually occurs during continuous performance tasks.
This notion is confirmed by an analysis of the frequency distributions of the reaction times. Treatment effects were only found for the long reaction times. Long reaction times tend to occur with increasing frequency as a function of time-on-task and are an indication for the level of motivation of the subject.
It was concluded that ACTH 4–10 counteracts the usual decay in performance as a function of time-on-task due to increasing boredom and mental fatigue.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Benjamin, L. S.: Statistical treatment of the law of initial value (LTV) in autonomic research: A review and redommendation. Psychosom. Med. 25, 556–566 (1963)
Bjerner, B.: Alpha depression and lowered pulse rate during delayed actions in a serial reaction test. Acta physiol. scand. 19, Suppl. 65 (1949)
Bunt, A. A., Sanders, A. F.: The effects of ACTH 4–10 on serial learning and a short-term retention task. Report IZF 1974-21. Institute for Perception TNO, Soesterberg, The Netherlands 1974
van Doorne, H., Sanders, A. F.: PSARP, a programmable signal and response processor. Behav. Res. Method Instrument. 1, 29–32 (1968)
Gispen, W. H., van Wimersma Greidanus, Tj. B., Bohus, B., de Wied, D.: Hormones, homeostasis and the brain. Progress in brain research, Vol. 42. Amsterdam: Elsevier 1975 (in press)
Hull, C. L.: Principles of behaviour. An introduction to behaviour theory. New York: Appleton-Century 1943
Kimble, G. A.: A experimental test of a two-factor theory of inhibition. J. exp. Psychol. 39, 15–23 (1949)
Norris, H.: The action of sedatives on brain stem occulomotor systems in man. Neuropharmacology 10, 181–191 (1971)
Pew, R. W.: The speed accuracy operating characteristic. Acta psychol. (Amst.) 6, 16–26 (1969)
Poulton, E. C.: Tracking behavior. In: Acquisition of skill, E. A. Bilodeau, ed., chapter 8. New York: Academic Press 1966
Sanders, A. F., Bunt, A. A.: Some remarks on the effects of drugs and abnormal conditions on human performance. Ned. T. Psychol. 26, 670–684 (1971)
Sanders, A. F., Hoogenboom, W.: On the effects of continuous active work and performance. Acta psychol. (Amst.) 33, 414–431 (1970)
Talland, G. A., Quartern, G. C.: The effects of methamphetamine and pentobarbital on the running memory span. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 8, 241–250 (1965)
Trumbo, D. A., Gaillard, A. W. K.: Drugs, time uncertainty, signal modality and reaction time. In: Attention and performance V, P. M. A. Rabitt and S. Dornic, eds., pp. 441–454. London: Academic Press 1974
de Wied, D.: Effects of peptide hormones on behavior. In: Frontiers in neuroendocrinology. W. F. Ganong and L. Martini, eds., pp. 97–140. London: Oxford University Press 1969
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This study was supported by N. V. Organon.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gaillard, A.W.K., Sanders, A.F. Some effects of ACTH 4-10 on performance during a serial reaction task. Psychopharmacologia 42, 201–208 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00429553
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00429553