Drug-induced hypothermia and conditioned place aversion.
This study examined the relationship between ethanol's thermal and motivational effects in a place conditioning task. In three experiments, male albino rats were exposed to a differential conditioning procedure that paired a distinctive tactile stimulus with ethanol (1.2 or 1.8 g/kg) or lithium chloride (3 meq/kg); a different stimulus was paired with saline. Different groups were exposed to ambient temperatures (Ta) of 5 degrees, 21 degrees or 32 degrees C during each 60-min conditioning trial. Both ethanol and lithium chloride produced hypothermia and conditioned place aversion in rats conditioned at normal Ta. Exposure to high Ta reduced drug-induced hypothermia, increased activity, and decreased conditioned place aversion. Exposure to low Ta did not enhance drug-induced hypothermia or change conditioned place aversion. In general, these findings support the suggestion that the hedonic effects of ethanol and lithium chloride interact with their thermal effects.
Cunningham
C L
CL
Department of Medical Psychology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201-3098.
Niehus
J S
JS
D000818:Animals; D001245:Association Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D003214:Conditioning, Classical / Q000187:drug effects*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009949:Orientation / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012931:Social Environment
D000431:Ethanol