Increased sweet taste preference following the lesion of basolateral nucleus of amygdala (BLA) in rat

A study of gustatory preference was carried out in Wistar strain albino rats by electrolytically lesioning the basolateral nucleus of amygdala. The intake of sweet tasting saccharin (Sn-0.1% soln w/v), NaCl solutions (1% Soln w/v) and tap water, were tested in single bottle, 2 bottle choice and 3 bottle choice situations. The consumption of fluids both before and after the stereotaxic surgery was recorded and statistically analysed. Lesion of BLA increased the intake of all fluids in the single bottle tests (P<0.01). But the increase in the group provided with saccharin was more than that in other two groups. When taste preference was tested using 2-bottle and 3-bottle choice situations, the lesioned rats were seeking Sn solution. In our previous study, we found that the lesion of BLA increased fluid intake in rats. The intake, in the present study was more in those animals provided with Sn solution. When choice was given, the rats shifted their preference from water to the Sn following the lesion. Thus this study confirms that BLA is involved in the preference for sweet tasting solution over the NaCl or plain water.