Prior exposure to MK-801 sensitizes rats to ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion.

Abstract

Pretreatment with an uncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, dizocilpine [(+)MK-801; six daily injections of 0.1 or 0.2 mg/kg, i.p.] significantly enhanced subsequent 1.5 g/kg ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion (CTA). In a control experiment, dizocilpine (0.05-.2 mg/kg) produced only a marginal CTA. Thus, pre-exposure to low, non-aversive doses of MK-801 may sensitize rats to the aversive stimulus effects of ethanol.