Conducted 2 experiments with naive male Sprague-Dawley rats. Results indicate that thermal cauterization of the area postrema region prevented food aversion learning ("bait shyness") induced by injections of methylscopolamine, but failed to affect that induced by injections of amphetamine. The anorexic effect of amphetamine was similarly unaffected by area postrema damage. Bait shyness induced by different drugs appears to be mediated by different mechanisms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)