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Haloperidol does not alter expression of ethanol-induced conditioned place preference
C L Cunningham1, D H Malott, S D Dickinson
1Department of Medical Psychology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201-3098.
Behavioural Brain Research
|September 28, 1992
Summary
Haloperidol did not block the expression of ethanol-induced conditioned place preference in mice. This suggests that non-dopaminergic mechanisms, not dopamine, are involved in the rewarding effects of ethanol.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychopharmacology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Dopaminergic mechanisms are implicated in reward pathways.
- Previous research suggests dopamine does not mediate the primary rewarding properties of ethanol.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if haloperidol affects the expression of ethanol-induced conditioned place preference.
- To explore the role of dopaminergic pathways in the expression of ethanol reward.
Main Methods:
- DBA/2J mice were conditioned with ethanol (2 g/kg) paired with a tactile stimulus.
- Haloperidol (0, 0.05, or 0.1 mg/kg) was administered before preference testing.
- Locomotor activity and conditioned place preference were measured.
Main Results:
- Haloperidol administration resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in locomotor activity.
- Haloperidol did not significantly affect the expression of ethanol-induced conditioned place preference.
- These findings indicate that dopamine is not essential for the expression of this conditioned reward.
Conclusions:
- The expression of ethanol-induced conditioned place preference is mediated by non-dopaminergic mechanisms.
- Dopamine pathways do not play a critical role in the expression of ethanol's rewarding effects in this paradigm.