title: Systemic 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine induces conditioned flavor aversion and c-Fos in the visceral neuraxis.
abstract: 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) is often used in studies of adult neurogenesis and olfactory learning, but it can also have toxic effects on highly proliferative tissue. We found that pairing Kool-Aid flavors with acute systemic injections of BrdU induced strong conditioned flavor aversions. Intermittent injections during Kool-Aid-glucose conditioning interfered with learning of a conditioned flavor-nutrient preference. Acute injection of BrdU also elevated plasma corticosterone levels and induced c-Fos in the visceral neuraxis. Thus, acute or intermittent systemic injections of BrdU (50-200 mg/kg) have aversive effects that may interfere with learning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Science, Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306, USA.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kimbrough
authors.forename: Bumsup
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Eckel
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Houpt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001245:Association Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects*; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine / Q000633:toxicity*; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects*; D016762:Genes, fos / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*; D013649:Taste; D014781:Viscera / Q000294:innervation
chemical_list: D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine