Formation of taste aversion and preference in protein synthesis inhibition in rats.

The investigation was devoted to the role of the synthesis of protein and peptide factors during the formation of chemosensory memory in rats. Two models of gustatory memorization were used: conditioned taste aversion (CTA), induced by the association of the taste of saccharine with a toxic injection of lithium chloride, and enhanced taste preference (ETP), induced by the influence of preliminary drinking of a saccharine solution on its repeat consumption. It was found that, under conditions of the inhibition of protein synthesis in the brain of 43% by cycloheximide and of 59% by 8-azaguanine, CTA does not form. ETP does not form under the influence of cycloheximide, but not [sic] of 8-azaguanine. A hypothesis was advanced regarding the participation of a varied spectrum of protein and peptide substances in the formation of taste aversion and preference. An influence of protein synthesis blockers on the process of retrieval of gustatory memory was not found.