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Ethanol induces conditioned place preference in genetically selected alcohol-preferring rats
R Ciccocioppo1, I Panocka, R Froldi
1Department of Pharmacological Sciences and Experimental Medicine, University of Camerino, Italy.
Psychopharmacology
|February 23, 1999
Summary
This study successfully induced ethanol reward in alcohol-preferring rats using a permanent intragastric catheter. This method reliably produced conditioned place preference (CPP), overcoming previous administration challenges.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Establishing ethanol-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in rats has been challenging for studying ethanol reward mechanisms.
- Genetically selected Marchigian Sardinian alcohol-preferring (msP) rats were used, derived from Sardinian alcohol-preferring rats.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate reliable methods for inducing ethanol-conditioned place preference (CPP) in alcohol-preferring rats.
- To explore the postingestive rewarding properties of ethanol in msP rats.
Main Methods:
- Conditioned place preference (CPP) was assessed in msP rats following intragastric (IG) ethanol administration via a permanent IG catheter.
- Ethanol doses (0.35, 0.7, 1.5, 2.8 g/kg) were administered as a 10% v/v solution.
- Comparisons were made with intraperitoneal (IP) injection and IG gavage methods.
Main Results:
- A permanent IG catheter enabled reliable CPP induction in ethanol-experienced msP rats at 0.7 and 1.5 g/kg ethanol.
- Ethanol-naive rats showed CPP at 0.7 g/kg via IG catheter.
- No CPP was observed with IP injection or IG gavage, regardless of prior ethanol experience.
Conclusions:
- Ethanol possesses postingestive rewarding properties in msP rats.
- A permanent IG catheter administration method is crucial for reliably inducing ethanol CPP in msP rats.
- This study provides a viable model for investigating ethanol's biological reward mechanisms.