Ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion in 15 inbred mouse strains.

Abstract

This study used a genetic correlational strategy to characterize the neurobiological basis of ethanol's (0, 2, or 4 g/kg) aversive effects as indexed by conditioned taste aversion. Substantial strain differences in taste aversion and hypothermia were observed, but the genetic correlation between these phenotypes was not significant. However, significant genetic correlations were observed between taste aversion and ethanol-related behaviors measured in previous studies, including home-cage ethanol preference (r = .68) and ethanol withdrawal severity (r = -.69). Strains showing stronger taste aversion tended to show lower ethanol preference and higher withdrawal severity. This pattern of findings is consistent with previous studies suggesting a commonality in neurobiological mechanisms underlying these phenotypes. These results do not support the hypothesis that ethanol-induced taste aversion is mediated by the drug's rewarding properties.

Ethanol drinking in rodents: is free-choice drinking related to the reinforcing effects of ethanol?

“…This genetic correlation (r = 0.623, n=13; p < 0.05) agreed strongly with previously published correlations between CTA at 2 g/kg and ethanol preference (Belknap et al, 1993;Broadbent et al, 2002). This association between CTA and drinking supports the finding of such an association in both the quantitative and qualitative meta-analyses described above.…”

“…We found that higher home cage alcohol drinking associates with lower CTA, agreeing with previous findings that strains of mice which show stronger taste aversion also tend to show lower ethanol preference and higher withdrawal severity (Broadbent et al, 2002). Such results suggest that with respect to ethanol, CTA reflects the likelihood of animals to acquire an aversion to flavors (including ethanol itself) paired with ethanol's actions, an effect that interferes with drinking behavior.…”

“…One would have to speculate that these populations are so highly reinforced by ethanol that they drink almost none of it, an interpretation that seems implausible. Additionally, the Broadbent et al (2002) study explicitly avoided a saccharin CS (opting for a salt flavor) to discourage any successive contrast interpretation of their findings. All in all, the more parsimonious explanation of the present findings is that CTA with an ethanol US is, in fact, mediated by aversive properties of that US, which also tend to discourage free-choice alcohol consumption.…”

“…Additionally, although not appearing in the table, two panels of inbred strains (Belknap et al, 1993;Broadbent et al, 2002) were used to assess correlations between free-choice drinking and CTA via Pearson's R analysis. Three recombinant inbred strain panels (Cunningham, 1995;Phillips et al, 1994;Risinger and Cunningham, 1998) were also used to determine correlations between free-choice drinking and CTA as well as free-choice drinking and CPP.…”

Differential effects of ethanol and midazolam upon the devaluation of an aversive memory in infant rats

“…On the other hand, aversive effects of the drug are easily found by pairing a novel flavor or distinctive place with the post absorptive effects of EtOH. Animals will later exhibit strong taste or place avoidance, particularly when a high dose of EtOH is employed (Broadbent et al, 2002;Fidler et al, 2004;Pautassi et al, 2002). …”