Bupropion, d-amphetamine, and amitriptyline-induced conditioned taste aversion in rats: dose effects

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Antidepressants are crucial for treating mood disorders.
• Understanding drug-induced taste aversions provides insights into drug mechanisms.
• D-amphetamine is known to induce taste aversions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the taste aversion-inducing properties of bupropion and amitriptyline.
• To compare the effects of these antidepressants with d-amphetamine.
• To explore potential mechanisms underlying these drug-induced behaviors.

Main Methods:

• Rats were adapted to a daily water schedule.
• Rats received injections of saline, bupropion HCl, d-amphetamine sulfate, or amitriptyline HCl.
• Taste aversion was measured by offering a choice between water and saccharin solution.

Main Results:

• Bupropion, d-amphetamine, and amitriptyline all induced dose-related taste aversions.
• Amitriptyline produced greater and longer-lasting taste aversions than bupropion or d-amphetamine.
• Bupropion and d-amphetamine showed equipotent taste aversion effects over the studied dose range.

Conclusions:

• This is the first demonstration of taste aversion induction by bupropion and amitriptyline.
• The findings suggest a role for central catecholaminergic processes in these effects.
• Amitriptyline's peripheral anticholinergic effects may also contribute to taste aversions.