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Conditioned activation induced by ethanol: role in sensitization and conditioned place preference
1Department of Medical Psychology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201.
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
|September 1, 1992
Summary
Behavioral sensitization to ethanol is mediated by Pavlovian conditioning, where mice develop conditioned activity responses to environmental cues associated with ethanol exposure.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Pharmacology
- Animal Models
Background:
- Repeated ethanol exposure can lead to sensitization of its locomotor activating effects.
- Place preference conditioning is a behavioral paradigm used to study drug-associated learning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if behavioral sensitization to ethanol during place preference conditioning is mediated by Pavlovian conditioned activity responses.
- To determine the role of associative learning in ethanol-induced behavioral changes.
Main Methods:
- Mice (DBA/2J) underwent conditioning with distinct floor stimuli paired with ethanol or saline.
- Control groups received different pairings or no drug during conditioning.
- Activity levels were assessed in response to stimuli and drug administration.
Main Results:
- Mice exposed to ethanol-paired stimuli (BEFORE group) developed a conditioned place preference.
- BEFORE group mice exhibited higher activity levels post-conditioning, regardless of drug administration.
- Conditioned activity was observed on the ethanol-associated (CS+) floor during saline tests, but not on the saline-associated (CS-) floor.
Conclusions:
- Results support the hypothesis that Pavlovian conditioning mediates behavioral sensitization to ethanol's activating effects.
- Place conditioning involves associative control by both specific (tactile) and general (environmental) cues.