Exposure to alcohol during adolescence alters the aversive and locomotor-activating effects of cocaine in adult rats |
| |
Authors: | Mary Anne Hutchison Daniel L Albaugh |
| |
Institution: | Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, American University, Washington, DC 20016, USA |
| |
Abstract: | ObjectivesThe present study assessed the effect of adolescent alcohol exposure on the later aversive and locomotor-activating effects of cocaine.MethodsMale rats were exposed to alcohol or vehicle for 10 days postnatal day (PND) 30-39; 2 g/kg IP]. Taste aversion conditioning began on PND 65. During aversion conditioning, subjects were presented with saccharin followed by cocaine (32 mg/kg; 15, 180 or 300 min post saccharin) or saline. Following each injection, animals were placed in locomotor chambers for 1 h. To determine if any effects seen were specific to the adolescent developmental period, the procedure was replicated in adult animals.ResultsAnimals exposed to vehicle during adolescence showed significant aversions at all time delays. Animals exposed to ethanol during adolescence showed a decrease in consumption only at the 15 and 180 min delays. Groups exposed to alcohol during adolescence showed a decrease in gross, and an increase in fine, motor activity in response to cocaine. Animals exposed to alcohol during adulthood also showed attenuated taste aversions.ConclusionsExposure to ethanol during adolescence attenuated the aversive effects of cocaine and altered its locomotor-activating effects. Although this effect is not specific to adolescence, this is the time when alcohol use is typically initiated so that such exposure may enhance later abuse liability of cocaine. |
| |
Keywords: | Adolescence Alcohol Ethanol Cocaine Conditioned taste aversion Locomotor activity Rat |
本文献已被 ScienceDirect 等数据库收录! |
|