Exposure to alcohol during adolescence alters the aversive and locomotor-activating effects of cocaine in adult rats.
OBJECTIVE
The present study assessed the effect of adolescent alcohol exposure on the later aversive and locomotor-activating effects of cocaine.


METHODS
Male rats were exposed to alcohol or vehicle for 10days [postnatal day (PND) 30-39; 2g/kg IP]. Taste aversion conditioning began on PND 65. During aversion conditioning, subjects were presented with saccharin followed by cocaine (32mg/kg; 15, 180 or 300min post saccharin) or saline. Following each injection, animals were placed in locomotor chambers for 1h. To determine if any effects seen were specific to the adolescent developmental period, the procedure was replicated in adult animals.


RESULTS
Animals exposed to vehicle during adolescence showed significant aversions at all time delays. Animals exposed to ethanol during adolescence showed a decrease in consumption only at the 15 and 180min delays. Groups exposed to alcohol during adolescence showed a decrease in gross, and an increase in fine, motor activity in response to cocaine. Animals exposed to alcohol during adulthood also showed attenuated taste aversions.


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to ethanol during adolescence attenuated the aversive effects of cocaine and altered its locomotor-activating effects. Although this effect is not specific to adolescence, this is the time when alcohol use is typically initiated so that such exposure may enhance later abuse liability of cocaine.
Hutchison
Mary Anne
MA
Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, American University, Washington, DC 20016, USA. hutchison.ma@gmail.com
Albaugh
Daniel L
DL
Riley
Anthony L
AL
D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003042:Cocaine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000187:drug effects; D004347:Drug Interactions; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013649:Taste / Q000187:drug effects
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000431:Ethanol; D003042:Cocaine