[Changes in the learning ability of epiphysectomized rats]

The experiments on rats have shown changes in the learning ability of animals. The learning of locomotor reactions of escape and avoidance conditioned reflex was accelerated in animals after pinealectomy. Training of rats in U-shaped and 16-door mazes was significantly affected after pinealectomy. The index of reflex retention (1 and 7 days later) was not changed in the operated animals. Epithalamin (0.5 mg/kg for 5 days) selectively facilitated learning of visual and space discrimination.