Short-Term and Long-Term effects of Styrene on Spatial Working Memory and Locomotor Activity in Male Rat

Abstract Background & Aim: Workers in some industries are exposed to styrene. This material is highly lipophilic and volatile at room temperature and the brain tissue has high level of fats. Thus causing various neurological effects, including memory impairment The present study was performed to investigate the short and long-term effects of styrene on spatial working memory and locomotors activity of male rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 12 rats were randomly divided into two groups of case and control. In case, group animals were exposed to styrene (750 ppm, 6hr/day, 5 days/week) for 21 days In the control group, the animals were exposed in the same conditions without exposure to Styrene. 2 days following termination of styrene exposure, spatial working memory and locomotors activity was evaluated by Y maze and open field test. In order to investigate the long-term effects of styrene, these tests were repeated 3 weeks after termination of exposure. In this study, spontaneous alternation as spatial working memory index, velocity and traveled distance as indicators of locomotors activity and spending time in the center as an indicator of non-anxiety were studied. Results: The results showed that after 2 and 21 days after styrene exposure, the time spent in the center of the open field test box, the distance traveled and the speed of movement decreased significantly. These effects were more severe in the 21 days after exposure than in the 2 days after exposure. Similarly, exposure to styrene significantly reduced the spontaneous frequency. Conclusion: According to the results, exposure to styrene leads to reduction of motor activity and spatial memory abnormalities in rats. To study the long-term effect of styrene on behavior, more studies are needed.