[The role of beta-endorphin in regulating the conditioned reflex activity of cats]

The role of beta-endorphin in regulation of instrumental food conditioning and in more complicated forms of nervous activity in cats was found to involve a facilitating unspecific effect both on positive and negative food conditioning, the latter having a general adaptive character. The influence of the same small doses of beta-endorphin (10 mkg/kg - 15 x 10(-6) mkg/kg) on the choice responses was more complicated and depended on the basic level of conditioning and the typology of animals. Possible mechanism of the beta-endorphin effect on higher nervous activity, is discussed.