Highlights Neprilysin (NEP) participates in development and functions of most body organs It is an important brain neuropeptidase which cleaves amyloid β (Aβ) peptide NEP dysregulation leads to development of various diseases of old age Regulation of NEP expression and activity is an important therapeutic target

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By studying the effects of gangliosides (G) on learning and memory we have found that i.p. administration of G led to a decrease in AC activity in the cortex (Cx) and striatum (Str) as well as in the threshold of the sensitivity of striatal neurons to the effect of cholinergic agonists. G also modified the sensitivity of AC from the Cx and Str to such agents as Gpp[NH]p and forskolin. The aim of this work was to analyze the correlation between the changes in the activity of AC in the Cx and Str, concentration of G in these brain structures as well as formation of motor reactions of newborn rats during the first month of postnatal ontogenesis. It was found that new born rats develop normal body rotation by sixth day, locomotion by fifteenth day and stabilization of locomotor activity and supporting body balance by 20–22nd day. As shown previously, the concentration of gangliosides in the Cx and Str is gradually increasing during the first month of animal development. The activity of AC (pmol cAMP/min/mg of protein) in the Cx was found to decrease from 34.75 to 4.09 and in the Str from 46.00 to 11.67 during the first week after birth. However in the periods of formation of general behavioural reactions we observed a statistically significant increase in AC activity: in the Str on 10th and 26th days (p < 0.01) and in the Cx from 10th to 19th days (p < 0.05) compared to the AC activity on 5th and 30th days. Thus, formation of locomotor activity and posture‐tonic reactions during development of rats in early postnatal ontogenesis correlates with increasing concentration of G and basal activity of AC. Supported by RFBR (99‐04‐49751) and RAS (99‐06‐287).