Effects of dose and of partial body ionizing radiation on taste aversion learning in rats with lesions of the area postrema

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1984 · Physiol. Behav.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9384(84)90081-7· OSTI ID:6722917

Rabin, B M; Hunt, W A; Lee, J

The effect of area postrema lesions on the acquisition of a conditioned taste aversion following partial body exposure to ionizing radiation was investigated in rats exposed to head-only irradiation at 100, 200 and 300 rad or to body-only irradiation at 100 and 200 rad. Following head-only irradiation area postrema lesions produced a significant attenuation of the radiation-induced taste aversion at all dose levels, although the rats still showed a significant reduction in sucrose preference. Following body-only exposure, area postrema lesions completely disrupted the acquisition of the conditioned taste aversion. The results are interpreted as indicating that: (a) the acquisition of a conditioned taste aversion following body-only exposure is mediated by the area postrema; and (b) taste aversion learning following radiation exposure to the head-only is mediated by both the area postrema and a mechanism which is independent of the area postrema.

• Research Organization: Behavioral Sciences Department, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Bethesda, MD
• OSTI ID: 6722917
• Journal Information: Physiol. Behav.; (United States), Vol. 32:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BRAIN
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LEARNING
RATS
TASTE BUDS
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
MAMMALS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RODENTS
SENSE ORGANS
VERTEBRATES
560152* - Radiation Effects on Animals- Animals
550100 - Behavioral Biology