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Morphine increases intake of beer among rats
M L Nichols1, C L Hubbell, M J Kalsher
1Department of Psychology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180-3590.
Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.Y.)
|July 1, 1991
Summary
Morphine increased alcohol intake in rats, even when ethanol concentration changed. Rats adjusted their consumption to maintain similar ethanol levels, but higher concentrations led to greater overall intake.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Rats were subjected to a restricted drinking schedule, alternating between water deprivation and access to an alcoholic beverage.
- The study investigates the effects of morphine on alcohol consumption patterns in rats.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the effect of morphine administration on the intake of alcoholic beverages in rats.
- To examine how changes in ethanol concentration influence rats' consumption behavior.
- To assess rats' ability to regulate ethanol intake when faced with varying concentrations.
Main Methods:
- Rats were trained to consume a sweetened alcoholic beverage and then beer with varying ethanol concentrations (3% and 6%).
- Morphine (1.0 mg/kg) or saline was administered prior to beer consumption sessions.
- Ethanol intake was measured across different beer concentrations and after morphine administration.
Main Results:
- Morphine reliably increased the mean intake of both 3% and 6% ethanol beer.
- Rats demonstrated an ability to adjust their beer intake to maintain consistent ethanol consumption when concentrations were altered.
- Presentation of 6% ethanol beer led to significantly greater overall ethanol intake compared to 3% beer.
Conclusions:
- Morphine enhances alcohol consumption in rats.
- Rats exhibit regulatory behavior to maintain ethanol intake but can be influenced to consume more at higher concentrations.
- These findings provide insights into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying alcohol preference and intake regulation.