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Ontogenetic differences in ethanol's motivational properties during infancy.
Michael E Nizhnikov1, Ricardo Marcos Pautassi, Elena I Varlinskaya
1Center for Development and Behavioral Neuroscience, Binghamton University, NY 13902-6000, USA.
Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.Y.)
|March 24, 2012
Summary
Infant rats show appetitive responses to ethanol, reinforcing flavor preferences. This sensitivity to ethanol
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Adult rodents typically develop aversions to conditioned stimuli paired with ethanol.
- However, infant rats (postnatal days 1-3) display appetitive reinforcement to ethanol.
- This early sensitivity may be transient, with aversions developing by the second postnatal week.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ontogenetic changes in the motivational properties of ethanol.
- To explore the neurobiological underpinnings of these age-related shifts in ethanol's effects.
Main Methods:
- A taste conditioning procedure was used with rat pups on postnatal day 4 (PD4) or PD12.
- Pups received saccharin infusions followed by intraperitoneal injections of varying ethanol doses.
- Ethanol's reinforcing effects were measured by saccharin intake and body weight gain the following day.
Main Results:
- PD4 pups demonstrated appetitive reinforcement to ethanol, consuming more saccharin than PD12 pups.
- Younger PD4 pups were less sensitive to ethanol's aversive properties compared to older PD12 pups.
- A similar pattern emerged with a kappa opioid agonist, indicating age-dependent motivational shifts.
Conclusions:
- Ethanol's motivational properties undergo significant ontogenetic changes during early infancy.
- Sensitivity to ethanol's appetitive effects decreases with age, while aversive responses increase.
- These findings highlight critical developmental periods in the neurobiology of ethanol's reinforcing and aversive actions.
