Abstract
The effects of 6-hydroxydopamine-induced depletion of forebrain noradrenaline (NA) on oral intake of ethanol were studied in male Wistar rats. Prior depletion of NA produced a smaller and significantly less variable intake of a concentrated solution of ethanol than that of control rats, and this effect was not accompanied by hyperreactivity to aversive solutions of quinine. NA-depleted rats also displayed rejection ‘thresholds’ for ethanol solutions that were significantly lower than those of controls. Depletion of forebrain NA did not, however, affect the punishing effects of ethanol injections measured in the conditioned taste aversion paradigm. In contrast to these effects of NA depletion on initiation of ethanol intake, depletion of forebrain NA after a preference for ethanol had been established failed to affect subsequent intake of ethanol. These results suggest that forebrain NA is involved in the initiation of ethanol intake by navie rats but not in the maintenance of established patterns of intake by experienced rats. Possible mechanisms for this differential involvement of NA are discussed.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
