Area postrema mediation of physiological and behavioral effects of lithium chloride in the rat.
The area postrema (AP), a chemoreceptor trigger zone for nausea and vomiting, has been implicated in taste aversion conditioning with LiCl. In addition to taste aversion acquisition, the present studies indicate that a number of other responses to LiCl administration are eliminated by lesions of the AP. These include a behavioral response, 'lying-on-belly' as well as two physiological responses, delayed stomach emptying and hypothermia. These findings suggest that the area postrema is critically involved in the detection of LiCl and in a wide range of responses to this toxin. They also provide strong evidence that the failure to acquire conditioned taste aversions to LiCl-paired flavors after AP lesions can be attributed to the absence of a significant 'illness' response in lesioned animals.
Bernstein
I L
IL
Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Chavez
M
M
Allen
D
D
Taylor
E M
EM
D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D002712:Chlorides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003214:Conditioning, Classical / Q000187:drug effects*; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects; D008094:Lithium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018021:Lithium Chloride; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D002712:Chlorides; D008094:Lithium; D018021:Lithium Chloride