The 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT reduces ethanol intake and maintained behavior in female Sprague-Dawley rats.
Agents affecting serotonergic (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) function influence ethanol consumption in rats and primates. In the present study female Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to orally self-administer 8% ethanol (v/v) in a large operant chamber in a 60-min test period by a prandial drinking technique. The number of response, ethanol reinforcers (dipper deliveries), and ethanol consumption (g/kg) were measured following administration of the 5-HT1 A agonist 8-OH-DPAT (0.001 1.0 mg/kg, ip) 30 min prior to testing. Locomotor activity (LMA) was also measured to assess activity changes induced by 8-OH-DPAT. 8-OH-DPAT selectively reduced ethanol ingestion from 17.1 +/- 3.2 dipper deliveries under vehicle conditions to 6.6 +/- 3 at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg. Higher doses of 8-OH-DPAT (0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg) significantly reduced both ethanol ingestion and LMA. Lower doses of 0.001-0.01 mg/kg of 8-OH-DPAT were without effect on ethanol intake and maintained behavior. These results demonstrate that, under the present experimental conditions, the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT reduced ethanol self-administration in the rat, and support a role for 5-HT1A receptors in the mediation of ethanol reinforcement.
School of Pharmacy, University of Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK.
A W
AW
Wilson
J C
JC
Neill
B
B
Costall
D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D000818:Animals; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D012646:Self Administration; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*
D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin