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The taste aversion induction properties of two long duration barbiturates
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
|May 1, 1980
Summary
Phenobarbital and barbital create taste aversion in rats. Phenobarbital is more effective, especially when combined with lithium chloride, suggesting distinct aversion properties and drug interactions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Pharmacology
Background:
- Conditioned taste aversion (CTA) is a powerful learning mechanism.
- Barbiturates are central nervous system depressants with known effects on behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the taste aversion-inducing abilities of sodium phenobarbital and sodium barbital in rats.
- To investigate the interaction between these barbiturates and lithium chloride (LiCl) in CTA.
Main Methods:
- Rats were fluid-deprived and offered a choice between saccharin solution and water.
- Taste aversion was assessed following administration of sodium phenobarbital, sodium barbital, or LiCl.
- The effects of barbiturates administered before or after LiCl were examined.
Main Results:
- Sodium phenobarbital produced a significantly stronger saccharin aversion than sodium barbital.
- Phenobarbital administration after LiCl induced a long-lasting aversion, while barbital did not.
- Barbiturate-induced attenuation of CTA was not observed in a two-bottle choice test.
Conclusions:
- Phenobarbital and barbital exhibit dissimilar taste aversion-inducing properties, with phenobarbital being more potent.
- The interaction between barbiturates and LiCl suggests complex modulatory effects on aversion learning.
- Drug-induced attenuation of CTA may depend on the testing paradigm, specifically the availability of a choice between fluids.
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