The effects of stress on alcohol consumption: mild acute and sub-chronic stressors differentially affect apomorphine susceptible and unsusceptible rats.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mild acute and mild sub-chronic challenges on alcohol intake and preference in the genetically selected ratlines of apomorphine susceptible (APO-SUS) and apomorphine unsusceptible (APO-UNSUS) animals. Animals from both lines were subjected to the 24 hr continuous alcohol vs. water paradigm under baseline conditions, after a single stressor and after multiple stressors. The intake of alcohol in ml was measured and converted to two values, namely intake in g/kg/24 hour of, and preference for, alcohol. This study shows that under baseline conditions the APO-UNSUS animals consume/prefer more alcohol than the APO-SUS animals. After an acute challenge the APO-SUS animals show a large increase in consumption, whereas the APO-UNSUS animals display only a small increase. Furthermore, sub-chronic challenges can further increase the consumption of the APO-UNSUS rat, but not that of the APO-SUS rat. The APO-SUS/ APO-UNSUS rats represent a good model to study the interaction between genetic factors and stress on directing alcohol consumption.
van der Kam
E L
EL
Department of Psychoneuropharmacology (234), Nijmegen Institute of Neuroscience, UMC St Radboud, PO BOX 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands. e.vanderkam@pnf.umcn.nl
Coolen
J C M
JC
Ellenbroek
B A
BA
Cools
A R
AR
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D000818:Animals; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000523:psychology*
D001058:Apomorphine