Gamma radiation-induced conditioned taste aversions in rats: A comparison of the protective effects of area postrema lesions with differing doses of radiation

Journal Article · Sun Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · Physiology and Behavior; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9384(89)90361-2· OSTI ID:6983317

Ossenkopp, K P; Giugno, L ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Western Ontario, London (Canada)

Lesions which destroy the area postrema (AP) and damage the adjacent nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) attenuate or abolish conditioned taste aversions (CTA) induced by a variety of pharmacological agents as well as exposure to radiation. In the present experiment, 4 groups of male rats received lesions of AP and 4 groups were given sham lesions. One sham-lesioned and one AP-lesioned group were given a single pairing of 1-hr access to a novel 0.10% sodium saccharin solution followed immediately with exposure to 0, 100, 200, or 400 rad of gamma radiation, respectively. Four days later all groups were given daily two-bottle preference tests (saccharin vs. water) on 4 consecutive days. The sham-lesioned groups exposed to the radiation (100, 200, or 400 rad) developed profound aversions to the saccharin on all test days (p less than 0.001). In contrast, all of the AP-lesioned groups as well as the sham-irradiated (0 rad) sham-lesioned group exhibited strong, comparable (p greater than 0.30) preferences for saccharin. Thus, lesion of AP abolished the radiation-induced CTA at all dose levels of radiation. These results raise the possibility of pharmacological intervention at the level of AP to prevent radiation-induced CTA in cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.

• OSTI ID: 6983317
• Journal Information: Physiology and Behavior; (USA), Journal Name: Physiology and Behavior; (USA) Vol. 46:4; ISSN 0031-9384; ISSN PHBHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560152* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Animals
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
DOSES
EXTERNAL IRRADIATION
IRRADIATION
LEARNING
MAMMALS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RATS
RODENTS
SENSE ORGANS
TASTE BUDS
VERTEBRATES
WHOLE-BODY IRRADIATION