Fluoride Action Network

Abstract

By means of an activity chamber and a Y-maze, spontaneous and conditioned-response behaviors, respectively, of adult Wistar albino rats were determined after administration of sodium fluoride (150 mg/L) and/or lead acetate (300 mg/L) in their drinking water for 30 days. The dental status and the expression of Nissl body in the brain of the rats were also tested. Results showed that fluoride (F) and/or lead (Pb) altered the frequency and duration of spontaneous activities and adversely affect conditioned-response behaviors. In addition, the expressions of Nissl body were significantly decreased in the treatment groups compared with the control group, whereas no changes were observed in the dental status among different groups. These findings indicate that F and/or Pb can influence spontaneous behaviors and lower the learning ability of rats before the appearance of dental lesions.

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