[The preprogramming of behavior patterns by changing the neurotransmitter metabolism in the early postnatal...

Changes in neurotransmitter concentrations, which are brought about by the administration of neurotropic pharmaceuticals to albino rats at the time of differentiation of the brain, may have a lasting effect upon the reactivity and adaptability of adult animals to environmental factors and give rise to specific patterns of behavior. 1. Pargyline, when administered neonatally, resulted in a reduction of learning power, decrease in the power of retention, as well as reduction of the decision-making ability. 2. Reserpine gave an improvement of learning power, but simultaneously decreased both the power of retaining what had been learnt and the decision-making ability. 3. Pyridostigmine gave a marked improvement of adaptability which was evidenced in higher learning power, greater retentiveness, and better decision-making ability.