Comparative effects of lesion of the basolateral nucleus and lateral nucleus of the amygdaloid body on neophobia and conditioned taste aversion in the rat

The effects of bilateral lesions of the basolateral and lateral nuclei of the amygdala on the neophobic response and LiCl-conditioned taste aversion to a saccharin solution were studied in rats. Compared to intact animals, rats with basolateral lesions did not exhibit neophobia to the novel stimulus, while rats with lateral lesions demonstrated an initial preference to the sweet solution over water. The LiCl-induced aversion was suppressed after basolateral lesions and was unchanged after lateral lesions. It is concluded that these two amygdaloid nuclei play an important but distinct role in neophobia and conditioned taste aversion.