Effects of benzodiazepine receptor ligands on the ingestion of sucrose, intralipid, and maltodextrin: an investigation using a microstructural analysis of licking behavior in a brief contact test.
Microstructural analysis of licking behavior in the rat was conducted (a) to describe in detail the characteristics of benzodiazepine-induced changes in ingestion and (b) to determine if the changes are consistent with an alteration in palatability. The effects of the benzodiazepine receptor (BZR) agonist midazolam (0.3-3 mg/kg), and the partial inverse agonist Ro 15-4513 (0.3-3 mg/kg), on licking for several concentrations of sucrose, Intralipid, and maltodextrin in a brief contact test were investigated. Midazolam increased the total number of licks for all 3 fluids; conversely, Ro 15-4513 decreased the total number of licks. Midazolam increased mean bout duration for sucrose and maltodextrin drinking and there was a trend toward a similar effect with Intralipid drinking. Ro 15-4513 reduced mean bout duration for all 3 test fluids. These data are discussed in terms of bidirectional changes in fluid palatability by drug actions at BZRs.
Higgs
S
S
Department of Psychology, University of Durham, United Kingdom.
Cooper
S J
SJ
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001386:Azides / Q000494:pharmacology; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000494:pharmacology; D004326:Drinking / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018682:GABA Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008874:Midazolam / Q000494:pharmacology; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011930:Reaction Time; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000502:physiology*; D012996:Solutions; D013395:Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013649:Taste / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
D001386:Azides; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous; D018682:GABA Agents; D011134:Polysaccharides; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D012996:Solutions; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D013395:Sucrose; C008315:maltodextrin; C042957:Ro 15-4513; D008874:Midazolam