Effect of perinatal dexamethasone treatment on conditioned taste aversion in rats
H Schwarzberg1, N Roth, K Hiller
1Institute of Physiology, Medical Academy, Magdeburg, FRG.
Abstract:
Effect of perinatal dex Rats received a single subcutaneous injection of 1 mg/kg dexamethasone at the age of seven days. One hundred days after the treatment, conditioned taste aversion was determined in the adult animals. Perinatally applied dexamethasone did not affect water consumption but caused a significant attenuation of conditioned taste aversion. These findings may be explained by dexamethasone effects upon brain development which cause impairment of memory functions or, alternatively, decreased responsiveness to aversive stimuli.

