Interstrain comparison of avoidance behavior and neurochemical parameters of brain cholinergic function

Five rat strains (Long-Evans Hooded, Zivic Miller, Lewis, Buffalo and Fischer-344) were tested in a shuttlebox conditioned avoidance task and the differences in the performance levels among the strains were noted. In parallel experiments using naive rats, the acetylcholine concentrations in eight brain regions and the acetylcholine turnover rate in five brain regions were determined for these strains. Interstrain differences in these parameters were found but no correlation between avoidance performance and either of these measures was apparent in any brain region studied. In separate experiments, no differences were found in the hippocampal acetylcholine concentration or the turnover rate among good performing Hooded, poor performing Hooded or untested Hooded rats. Similarly, no differences in regional acetylcholine turnover rates were found between naive rats of the Iowa Reactive and Nonreactive strains. [3H]-QNB (quinuclidinyl benzilate) binding was studied in three brain regions in the five strains, but no large interstrain differences in binding characteristics were found. In contrast to interpretations of other workers based on less direct assay methods involving fewer strains, we conclude that no strong correlation exists between avoidance performance ability and basal levels of brain cholinergic activity.