Short communicationFlavor and object recognition memory impairment induced by excitotoxic lesions of the perirhinal cortex

•Perirhinal cortex lesions impair long term object recognition memory.•Perirhinal cortex lesions have no effect on the neophobia to a vinegar solution.•Perirhinal cortex lesions delay the attenuation of flavor neophobia.

Recognition memory is based on the ability to assess the familiarity of a previously encountered stimulus. It can be approached using tests for different sensorial modalities. Excitotoxic lesions of the perirhinal cortex (Prh) were performed in order to assess the relevance of its integrity for object and flavor recognition memory. Object recognition memory was impaired with a 24 h retention interval. Flavor neophobia attenuation was prevented on a second encounter with the tastant. These results support a role of the perirhinal cortex in mediating the transition from novel to familiar, both in object and flavor recognition memory.