[Excess dietary arginine inhibits the development of the food-acquisition habit in white rats].

Behavioural effects of NO precursor L-arginine (Arg) were studied. Arg was shown to impair place learning with food reinforcement in the maze task. Arg was introduced per os immediately after the training session, i.e., 24 hours prior to the next session in doses of 50, 100 and 250 mg/kg. Intake of Arg in the dose of 100 mg/kg induced the most effective learning inhibition. Special tests demonstrated that Arg in the applied doses did not influence food motivation. Analysis of Arg effects suggests that the observed behavioural changes are probably due to the excess NO synthesis from Arg in brain tissues which, in turn, may result in cell damage.