Abstract
PREVIOUS studies have demonstrated that exposure to low-intensity γ- or X-rays over a period of 1 hr. or more leads to aversive behaviour in rats1–4. The avoidance behaviour is a learned response dependent upon an association between discriminative stimuli and exposure to radiation. The most sensitive test developed so far involves the use of distinctive taste stimuli. Rats will normally consume saccharin-flavoured water in preference to tap water. However, if a rat tastes this solution during a 6-hr, exposure to gamma-rays, resulting in a total dose of 30 r., it will exhibit a marked decrement in preference for saccharin which persists for several weeks post-irradiation. In contrast, an animal which drinks tap water during a similar exposure will maintain the normal preference for the sacchari solution.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Garcia, J., Kimeldorf, D. J., and Koelling, R. A., Science, 122, 157 (1955).
Garcia, J., Kimeldorf, D. J., and Hunt, E. L., Rad. Res., 5, 79 (1956).
Garcia, J., Kimeldorf, D. J., and Hunt, E. L., Brit. J. Radiol., 30, 318 (1957).
Garcia, J., and Kimeldorf, D. J., J. Comp. and Physiol. Psychol., 50, 180 (1957).
Tochilin, E., and Kohler, G. D., Health Phys., 1, 332 (1958).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
GARCIA, J., KLMELDORF, D. Conditioned Avoidance Behaviour induced by Low-Dose Neutron Exposure. Nature 185, 261–262 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1038/185261a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/185261a0
- Springer Nature Limited
This article is cited by
-
Avoidance reaction of animals to radiation fields
Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine (1968)
-
Immediate Detection of X-rays by the Rat
Nature (1962)