Effects of adrenaline on the acquisition and maintenance of ethanol preference in a taste conditioning paradigm.
The effects of subcutaneous adrenaline administration on preference for ethanol (2.5% solution) have been investigated, using a two-bottle choice situation. Administration of the amine (50 micrograms/kg) immediately after the conditioning session significantly attenuated ethanol preference. Adrenaline treatment (10, 50 or 100 micrograms/kg) prior to the first retention test induced a significant reduction in ethanol preference. When the amine was injected prior to conditioning only the dose of 100 micrograms/kg reduced later ethanol preference. Our results indicate that systemically administered adrenaline impairs the acquisition of preference to a weak ethanol solution. It is suggested that this effect of the amine may be linked to interference with consolidation of memory and retrieval processes.
D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D004326:Drinking / Q000187:drug effects; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013649:Taste / Q000187:drug effects*
D000431:Ethanol; D004837:Epinephrine