Reversal of Learned Helplessness by Peripheral Arousal

The response deficit produced by uncontrollable shock has been termed learned helplessness. Many studies have demonstrated similarities between human depression and learned helplessness. However, pilot studies suggested that sympathomimetic drugs which do not alleviate depression may alter learned helplessness. The present study was designed to replicate these preliminary data. 32 rats were exposed to either no-shock or a sequence of inescapable shock previously shown to produce learned helplessness. 24 hr. later metaraminol bitartrate (Aramine) or physiological saline was injected prior to the testing in a bar-press, shock-escape task. Inescapable shock one day prior to testing produced a severe response deficit in saline controls but not in the drug group. Reversal of learned helplessness by peripheral autonomic arousal indicates a reevaluation of the learned helplessness model of human depression may be necessary.