The contextual modulation of conditioned taste aversions by the physical environment and time of day is similar

• Published in: Learning & memory (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2002-09, Vol.9 (5), p.218-223
• Main Authors: Morón, Ignacio, Manrique, Tatiana, Molero, Andrés, Ballesteros, Ma Angeles, Gallo, Milagros, Fenton, Andre
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Avoidance Learning - physiology; Behavior, Animal - physiology; Circadian Rhythm; Conditioning (Psychology) - physiology; Environment Design; Extinction, Psychological - physiology; Memory - physiology; Rats; Taste
• ISSN: 1072-0502; 1549-5485
• DOI: 10.1101/lm.52202

In a pair of experiments, we have compared the ability of changes of place (Exp. 1) and changes of time of day (Exp. 2) to separately modulate learned saline-aversion memory phenomena in rats. Neither a spatial nor a temporal change disrupted latent inhibition using the present behavioral procedure. However, pre-exposure to the taste increased the contextual control of the learned aversion expression. The aversion reappeared in the place or at the time of conditioning after extinction in a different context. The results indicate that environmental and temporal contexts can independently, but similarly modulate taste aversion learning.