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Pfiesteria toxin and learning performance.

E D Levin1, B B Simon, D E Schmechel

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. edlevin@acpub.duke.edu

Neurotoxicology and Teratology
|July 1, 1999
PubMed
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Pfiesteria piscicida exposure impairs rat learning in noisy environments, suggesting toxins are sensitive to distracting stimuli. This cognitive deficit was not observed in quiet settings, indicating environmental factors influence Pfiesteria

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Environmental Toxicology
  • Marine Biology

Background:

  • Pfiesteria piscicida, an estuarine dinoflagellate, is linked to fish kills and potential human health impacts.
  • Previous research indicated radial-arm maze learning deficits in rats exposed to Pfiesteria.
  • Cognitive deficits observed in humans after Pfiesteria exposure warrant further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate behavioral parameters of Pfiesteria-induced learning deficits.
  • To investigate the influence of environmental stimuli on Pfiesteria-related cognitive impairment.
  • To assess potential toxins of Pfiesteria through behavioral screening.

Main Methods:

  • Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to varying doses of Pfiesteria piscicida or control solutions.

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  • Rats were trained on an 8-arm radial maze in either a standard test room or a sound-attenuating chamber.
  • Behavioral testing included radial maze performance, functional observational battery, and figure-8 locomotor activity tests.

    • Main Results:

    • Pfiesteria exposure significantly impaired choice accuracy in the radial maze in a standard (noisy) room, but not in a sound-attenuating chamber.
    • Switching environments revealed that Pfiesteria-exposed rats performed worse when moved from a quiet to a noisy room.
    • Locomotor activity tests showed greater declines in Pfiesteria-treated rats, suggesting a non-generalized debilitation.

    Conclusions:

    • The Pfiesteria-induced learning impairment appears to be exacerbated by distracting environmental stimuli.
    • Cognitive deficits are not due to generalized debilitation but are context-dependent.
    • Behavioral responses in the radial maze and figure-8 maze may aid in identifying Pfiesteria toxins.