Effects of acute swim stress on LiCl-induced conditioned taste aversions

The present study examined the effects of a 5-min period of swim stress experienced between a flavor (saccharin) and illness (LiCl) on conditioned taste aversion learning. Experiment 1 obtained a stress-induced attenuation of learning. Experiment 2 replicated the findings of Experiment 1, and also obtained a similar attenuation when stress was administered 30 min prior to the saccharin presentation. Experiment 3 examined the effects of swim stress either 15 min or 90 min after the LiCl had been administered. It was found that swim stress 15 min after LiCl significantly attenuated CTA, but swim stress 90 min after LiCl did not. These results are discussed with regard to current views of the relationship between external events and conditioned taste aversions.