Accession Number:

ADA183501

Title:

Ethanol-Induced Taste Aversions: Lack of Involvement of Acetaldehyde and the Area Postrema

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

ARMED FORCES RADIOBIOLOGY RESEARCH INST BETHESDA MD

Personal Author(s):

• Hunt, Walter A.
• Rabin, Bernard M.
• Lee, Jack

Report Date:

1987-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

7.0

Abstract:

Two experiments were run to evaluate the role of acetaldehyde and the area postrema in the acquisition of an ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion. An ethanol-induced taste aversion was observed in male Sprague-Dawley rats with a dose of 4 gkg. PO, but not after doses of 1 or 2 gkg. Pretreatment with 4-methylpyrazole 8 mgkg, IP, which itself did not induce an aversion as compared to pyrazole 68 mgkg. IP that did, andor prior application of lesions of the area postrema had no influence on the development of an ethanol- induced taste aversion. The results indicate that ethanol-induced taste aversion learning does not result from the metabolism of ethanol to acetaldehyde and does not, like other toxins, involve the mediation of the area postrema. Keywords Conditioned taste aversion, Ethanol, Area postrema, Pyrazole, Methylpyraxole.

Descriptors:

• *ACETALDEHYDE
• *TASTE
• *ETHANOLS
• MALES
• LEARNING
• TOXINS AND ANTITOXINS
• LESIONS
• VASODILATION
• INTOXICATION
• ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION
• ANTIMETABOLITES
• CONDITIONED RESPONSE
• DEHYDROGENASES
• WATER PRIVATION
• METABOLISM
• TOXICITY
• REPRINTS
• RATS

Subject Categories:

• Psychology
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Pharmacology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE