title: The GABA(B) receptor agonists baclofen and CGP 44532 prevent acquisition of alcohol drinking behaviour in alcohol-preferring rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study investigated the effect of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)(B) receptor agonists, baclofen and CGP 44532, on the acquisition of alcohol drinking behaviour in selectively bred Sardinian alcohol-preferring (sP) rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Baclofen [0, 1 and 3 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)] and CGP 44532 (0, 0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/kg, i.p.) were administered immediately before alcohol presentation to alcohol-naive sP rats. Alcohol was offered under the two-bottle free-choice regimen with unlimited access for 24 h/day. Drug treatment was repeated once daily for 10 consecutive days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baclofen and CGP 44532, dose-dependently and with comparable efficacy, suppressed alcohol intake; compensatory increases in water intake left total fluid intakes virtually unchanged.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results demonstrate that baclofen and CGP 44532 prevent the acquisition of alcohol drinking behaviour in sP rats, and suggest the involvement of the GABA(B) receptor in the mechanisms underlying the disclosure and experience of the reinforcing properties of alcohol in this rat line.
authors.affiliation: C.N.R. Institute of Neurogenetics and Neuropharmacology, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Colombo
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.forename: Giuliana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brunetti
authors.forename: Giuliana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Atzori
authors.forename: Marialaura
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pani
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vacca
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Addolorato
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Froestl
authors.forename: Mauro A M
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Carai
authors.forename: Gian Luigi
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Gessa
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D001418:Baclofen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004326:Drinking / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D063065:Organophosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010721:Phosphinic Acids; D051381:Rats; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives
chemical_list: C112036:3-amino-2-(S)-hydroxypropyl-methyl-phosphinic acid; D063065:Organophosphonates; D010721:Phosphinic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D001418:Baclofen