Dose- and conditioning trial-dependent ethanol-induced conditioned place preference in Swiss-Webster mice.
The motivational effects of ethanol were examined in Swiss-Webster mice using an unbiased place conditioning, design. Adult male Swiss-Webster mice received six 5-min pairings of a tactile stimulus with different doses of ethanol (1, 2, 3, or 4 g/kg. IP). A different tactile stimulus was paired with saline injections. A 60-min preference test was given after the first four conditioning trials and an additional 30-min preference test after the sixth conditioning trial. During conditioning, ethanol initially produced locomotor stimulation at the 2 g/kg dose and locomotor depression at the 4 g/kg dose. However, after repeated ethanol exposure, all doses produced overall increases in activity relative to saline, suggesting sensitization to ethanol's stimulant effect. After four conditioning trials ethanol-induced conditioned place preference was noted in mice receiving 3 and 4 g/kg ethanol. After two additional conditioning trials all ethanol doses produced conditioned place preference. These results indicate that ethanol has dose-dependent rewarding effects measured in an unbiased place-conditioning paradigm using a standard outbred mouse strain. Further, additional place-conditioning trials enhance the development of preference at lower (1 or 2 g/kg) ethanol doses.
Risinger
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Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201-3098, USA.
Oakes
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D000818:Animals; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D012201:Reward
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000431:Ethanol