Role of the cerebellum in habituation exploration behavior in the rat

Adult control and cerebellectomized DA/HAN-strained male rats were submitted to habituation of exploration behavior in a test environment consisting of a novel cage in which four objects were displayed. Seven days after the initial session of habituation, retention of the habituation was tested. Within-session habituation was observed in cerebellectomized and control rats. However, retention of habituation was impaired in rats that were cerebellectomized after the initial session but not in those cerebellectomized before the session. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the cerebellum has a role in memory of habituation to environmental stimuli.