Evidence for a dissociation between benzodiazepine withdrawal signs.
The relationship between benzodiazepine-withdrawal induced weight loss and conditioned taste aversion was studied. Rats were treated with chlordiazepoxide (CDP) for 10 days (n = 37) or with vehicle (n = 39). Significant withdrawal-induced weight loss was observed. On day 11 all animals received an intra-oral infusion of saccharin. In a subsequent saccharin vs water choice test significant withdrawal-induced conditioned taste aversion was observed, as CDP pretreated animals drank less saccharin than controls. The two withdrawal indices were not correlated in the CDP pretreated animals [r = + 0.05], despite the fact that we studied a large group of rats. These data are in agreement with suggestions that drug withdrawal syndromes may be heterogeneous phenomena with a number of different underlying neural mechanisms.
Goudie
A J
AJ
Department of Psychology, Liverpool University, UK.
Harrison
A A
AA
Leathley
M J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002707:Chlordiazepoxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D013649:Taste / Q000502:physiology
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D002707:Chlordiazepoxide