Recent advances in assessing the effects of mycotoxins using animal models

Food products are susceptible to mycotoxin contamination. The intoxication produces distinct signs, depending on mycotoxin, duration, dose, and species susceptibility. Behavioral impairments after mycotoxin exposure critically affect animal health and welfare. Nevertheless, this topic has been barely explored in the specific literature. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a highly toxic mycotoxin, bearing carcinogenic potential. Moreover, AFB1 elicits significant damage in several tissues, including the central nervous system, which eventually inducing behavioral impairments. In addition, behavioral changes have been described in experimental models of mycotoxin exposure induced by deoxynivalenol, T-2 toxin, 3-nitropropionic acid, zearalenone ochratoxin A, fumonisin B1, and ustiloxin A. Considering that mycotoxins pose a serious risk to human health and a challenge to food security, the study of mycotoxin-elicited behavioral changes is important to develop strategies to mitigate them. This review addresses behavioral effects induced by mycotoxins in different species and protocols.