Decrease in brain serotonin level and short term memory loss in mice: a preliminary study

Most of the information on the effects of benzene center around its hematotoxic and genotoxic effects. However, its effect on central neurotransmitters is inconclusive in terms of cognitive behavior of the host. The present results showed for the first time that chronic exposure to benzene, in drinking water, significantly inhibited serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)) level in serotonergic neuron rich regions of the murine brain. This was paralleled with loss of short term memory, as evidenced by passive avoidance test, of the benzene treated animals.