Abstract
DBA/2J mice were exposed to a distinctive floor stimulus (CS+) and ethanol (2 g/kg) in a place conditioning paradigm. A different floor stimulus (CS−) was presented with saline. Mice injected just before or 30 min before CS exposure (Groups 0, −30) showed conditioned place preference, whereas mice injected right after exposure to the CS (Group 5) displayed place aversion (Experiment 1). None of the other groups (−120, −60, 15, 60) showed place conditioning. Handling and saline injection given just before or after CS exposure were unable to produce place conditioning (Experiment 2). However, there was a positive relationship between ethanol concentration (10% vs. 20%) and test performance, suggesting that peritoneal irritation influences place conditioning (Experiment 3). Overall, these findings support the suggestion that intraperitoneal injection of ethanol produces an initial short-duration aversive effect that is followed by a longer lasting positive motivational effect.
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This research was supported in part by NIAAA Grants AA07702, AA08621, and AA07468. Thanks are extended to Carly Henderson for her assistance with Experiment 2 and to Nancy Bormann for comments on the manuscript. Portions of these data were presented at the annual meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism (Steamboat Springs, CO, June 1995).
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Cunningham, C.L., Okorn, D.M. & Howard, C.E. Interstimulus interval determines whether ethanol produces conditioned place preference or aversion in mice. Animal Learning & Behavior 25, 31–42 (1997). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03199022
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03199022