Effects of ethanol and GABAB drugs on working memory in C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice

RATIONALE: It has been suggested that GABA(B) receptors may be part of a neural substrate mediating some of the effects of ethanol. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this experiment was to investigate, in mice, the effects of ethanol on working memory in a delayed matching-to position (DMTP) task, and additionally to determine if these effects were modulated by GABA(B) receptors. METHODS: Female C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice were trained in the DMTP task, and after asymptotic levels of performance accuracy were achieved, injections (IP) of ethanol, baclofen, or phaclofen were administered. Baclofen or phaclofen were then co-administered with ethanol. Each test was repeated twice. RESULTS: Ethanol caused deficits in working memory at 2.0 g/kg and higher. The highest dose (2.5 g/kg) produced additional non-specific effects, indicative of sedation. Baclofen increased performance accuracy (2.5 mg/kg), while decreasing the total number of trials completed. When combined with ethanol (1.5 g/kg), baclofen increased memory deficits at the highest dose (7.5 mg/kg). Phaclofen increased performance accuracy at 10 and 30 mg/kg but had no effect on the total number of trials completed. When combined with ethanol (2.5 g/kg), phaclofen did not significantly alter ethanol-induced deficits in performance. CONCLUSIONS: Analyses of performance accuracy, total trials completed and variables indexing bias and motor impairment indicated that GABA(B) drugs modulate working memory in a behaviorally specific manner. Overall, these receptors may be part of a neural substrate that modulates some of the effects of ethanol.