The effects of Ro 15-4513 on ethanol-induced taste aversions

Ro 15-4513 is an imidazobenzodiazepine that has been reported to block a range of behavioral effects of ethanol. In the present experiments, the effects of Ro 15-4513 were assessed on the acquisition of an ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion. Specifically, rats were given a novel saccharin solution to drink followed by an injection of one of a range of doses of Ro 15-4513 (0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg, Experiment 1A, and 2.0 and 3.0 mg/kg, Experiment 1B) and an injection of ethanol (1.75 g/kg). Ro 15-4513 failed to block the acquisition of the ethanol-induced taste aversion. Possible reasons for this failure were discussed.