Behavioral effects of chronic lead ingestion on laboratory rats.

Rats continuously exposed to lead acetate solutions were tested on a visual discrimination reversal problem, on the open field and in 2 shuttle avoidance situations. High lead intake produced slower acquisition of the visual discrimination problem but had no effect on reversal performance. High lead intake reduced activity on the open field and improved performance on both shuttle avoidance problems. Results are interpreted to indicate that the effects produced by exposure to lead may involve an increase in responsiveness to aversive situations.