The taste aversion induction properties of two long duration barbiturates.
The ability of sodium phenobarbital (60 mg/kg) and sodium barbital (80 mg/kg) to produce a taste aversion in 23 hr fluid deprived rats was examined using a discrimination or two bottle taste aversion task (0.125% sodium saccharin solution or water). The interaction of both barbiturates with the effects of 3.0 mEq/kg lithium chloride (LiCl) was also examined. Results indicate that phenobarbital treatment alone produces a stronger saccharin aversion than does barbital. Also, barbiturate treatment 24 hr after LICi administration does not attenuate saccharin avoidance, although phenobarbital treatment following LiCl administration was sufficient to induce a maximum aversion that did not extinguish after twenty days of continuous discrimination testing. These data suggest that the aversion inducing properties of the two barbiturates are dissimilar and that phenobarbital is the more effective agent in the production of saccharin aversion. In addition, barbiturate induced attenuation of conditioned taste aversion is apparently related to the periodic forced intake test model since it does not occur when a water and saccharin choice is available.
D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D001462:Barbital / Q000494:pharmacology; D001463:Barbiturates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004327:Drinking Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D012439:Saccharin; D013649:Taste / Q000187:drug effects*
D001463:Barbiturates; D001462:Barbital; D012439:Saccharin; D010634:Phenobarbital