Effect of Biotin Deficiency on Escape and Avoidance Learning in Rats

The effect of biotin deficiency on the ability of Sprague-Dawley rats to acquire conditioned avoidance and escape reactions was investigated. Avoidance learning was impaired with both 5.0-second and 2.0-second intervals between conditional and unconditional stimuli. Escape learning was not affected, suggesting that the defect in avoidance learning was not due to motor impairment. Behavioral and biochemical evidence suggests that effects of the deficiency on the central nervous system may be expected.