Abstract
We investigated the influence by chronic exposure to a low concentration of formaldehyde on emotional and learning behaviors in female C3H/HeN mice. Formaldehyde is well known as the main chemical substance inducing sick building syndrome. In this study, we exposed female C3H/HeN mice to 2000ppb formaldehyde for 12 weeks. After exposure, we evaluated the behavioral effects of the chemical using the elevated plus maze test, open field test, Lashley III maze learning test, passive avoidance learning test and hot plate test. A significant difference was observed between exposure mice and control in elevated plus maze test and passive avoidance learning test.The results demonstrated that chronic exposure to a low concentration of formaldehyde increased anxiety and facilitated avoidance learning without affecting influence general activity, exploratory behavior, spatial learning and nociceptive. [Jpn J Physiol 54 Suppl:S193 (2004)]
