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Conditioned taste aversion induced by organophosphate compounds in rats
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
|March 1, 1986
Summary
Organophosphate compounds like dichlorvos can cause conditioned taste aversion (CTA) in rats even at low doses. This CTA response is linked to cholinesterase inhibition, indicating neurobehavioral effects from mild organophosphate exposure.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Organophosphate compounds are widely used pesticides.
- Assessing the subtle neurobehavioral effects of low-dose exposure is crucial.
- Conditioned taste aversion (CTA) is a learned response to a taste paired with an aversive experience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of CTA as a sensitive indicator of neurobehavioral toxicity from organophosphate exposure.
- To determine if organophosphates can induce CTA at doses below overt signs of toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Three organophosphates (dichlorvos, parathion, diisopropylfluorophosphate) were administered to rats.
- Conditioned taste aversion (CTA) tests were conducted.
- Cholinesterase activity in brain and plasma was measured.
- Behavioral tests (open field, inclined plane) and pain sensitivity were assessed.
Main Results:
- All tested organophosphates induced a dose-dependent CTA in rats without causing other toxic signs.
- The minimum CTA-inducing dose of dichlorvos did not affect pain sensitivity or general behavior.
- Organophosphate administration led to dose-dependent cholinesterase inhibition in brain and plasma.
- CTA induction was correlated with the extent of plasma cholinesterase inhibition.
Conclusions:
- Conditioned taste aversion (CTA) is a sensitive biomarker for detecting neurobehavioral effects of mild organophosphate exposure.
- CTA can be reliably induced at plasma cholinesterase inhibition levels as low as 30-40%.