Effect of electric field in conditioned aversion response

The aim of the present study was to estimate whether rat sense exogenous electric field (EF) including one used in our previous studies. Employing a conditioned place aversion response paradigm based on an aversive behavior against light environment, alteration in both voluntary behavior of Wistar rat to a 50 Hz sinusoidal EF was examined. Following conditioning without EF, the times spent in white place in rats was significantly shortened (P<0.05). While, such changes were not shown in rats conditioned with EF. Thus, it was considered that the aversion response to light environment was interfered by exposure to EF. An interference in recognition of brightness via EF induced effect to visual system or in learning system via direct effect to central nerve system was considerable as a factor for EF-induced effect. In addition, it was remained that rat possibly sense exposure to EF as preferable. In order to confirm which factor functioned, further studies are needed.