Vestibular lesions selectively abolish body rotation-induced, but not lithium-induced, conditioned taste aversions (oral rejection responses) in rats.
Pairing a novel taste with provocative vestibular stimulation results in conditioned taste aversions in both rats and humans. Vestibular system involvement in gustatory conditioning was examined in sham-lesioned or labyrinthectomized rats. Three conditioning trials consisted of 30 min access to asaccharin (0.1%) solution followed by 30 min of rotation (70 rpm) or sham rotation. In a taste reactivity test with saccharin, rotated sham-lesioned rats, but not labyrinthectomized rats, exhibited increased oral rejection reactions compared with control rats. When conditioned with lithium chloride, both labyrinthectomized and sham-lesioned rats displayed robust conditioned rejection reactions. The finding that normal vestibular function is necessary in obtaining rotation-induced conditioned taste aversions supports the face and construct validity of a rat model of motion sickness.
Ossenkopp
Klaus-Peter
KP
Department of Psychology, Neuroscience Program, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada. ossenkop@uwo.ca
Parker
Linda A
LA
Limebeer
Cheryl L
CL
Burton
Page
P
Fudge
Melissa A
MA
Cross-Mellor
Shelley K
SK
D000818:Animals; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D003214:Conditioning, Classical; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018021:Lithium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009041:Motion Sickness / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009043:Motor Activity; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013649:Taste; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000473:pathology*
D018692:Antimanic Agents; D018021:Lithium Chloride