The effects of CCK8 injected into the rat median nucleus accumbens on exploration and locomotion were measured in the four hole box and open-field tests. CCK8 (1 fmol to 100 pmol) induced hypoexploration in the four hole box (duration, frequency), with the pattern of the responses remaining unchanged compared to those of the control group. These effects were reversed by injection of the CCK antagonist proglumide (20 micrograms) into the nucleus accumbens. In the open-field test, CCK8 (100 pmol) only decreased locomotion and rearing when the rats were not habituated to the environment. These results show that the behavior of rats exposed to a novel external stimuli is highly sensitive to CCK8.