Buspirone antagonizes the expression of conditioned taste aversion in rats

Abstract

AbstractWhen the parameters of taste aversion conditioning and testing have been appropriately adjusted, benzodiazepines and barbiturates will markedly antagonize the expression of moderate taste aversions in rats. We call this the taste aversion conflict model of anxiety. In the present study, we investigate whether buspirone HCl (buspirone; p.o. and i.p.) is active in the taste aversion conflict model and whether buspirone will also increase unsuppressed saccharin (SACC) intake. We also investigated the effects of imipramine, desipramine, phenelzine sulfate, chlorpromazine, scopolamine and d‐amphetamine sulfate in the taste aversion conflict model. To assess the possible effects of buspirone on the GABA‐benzodiazepine supramolecular receptor complex, we compared buspirone with certain benzodiazepines, meprobamate and sodium phenobarbital on the antagonism of pentylenetetrazol‐induced lethality in mice. Unlike benzodiazepines, meprobamate and phenobarbital, buspirone did not antagonize pentylenetetrazol‐induced lethality. However, like those other anxiolytics, buspirone markedly antagonized the expression of conditioned taste aversion. All nonanxiolytic drugs tested had either no effect or very slight effects on the expression of conditioned taste aversion. These results suggest that the taste aversion conflict model is sensitive to novel anxiolytics and that it is selective for drugs clinically effective in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorders in man.