The effects of stress on alcohol consumption: mild acute and sub-chronic stressors differentially affect apomorphine susceptible and unsusceptible rats

E.L. van der Kam*, J.C.M. Coolen, B.A. Ellenbroek, A.R. Cools

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mild acute and mild sub-chronic challenges on alcohol intake and preference in the genetically selected ratlines of apomorphine susceptible (APO-SUS) and apomorphine unsusceptible (APO-UNSUS) animals. Animals from both lines were subjected to the 24 hr continuous alcohol vs. water paradigm under baseline conditions, after a single stressor and after multiple stressors. The intake of alcohol in ml was measured and converted to two values, namely intake in g/kg/24 hour of, and preference for, alcohol. This study shows that under baseline conditions the APO-UNSUS animals consume/prefer more alcohol than the APO-SUS animals. After an acute challenge the APO-SUS animals show a large increase in consumption, whereas the APO-UNSUS animals display only a small increase. Furthermore, sub-chronic challenges can further increase the consumption of the APO-UNSUS rat, but not that of the APO-SUS rat. The APO-SUS/ APO-UNSUS rats represent a good model to study the interaction between genetic factors and stress on directing alcohol consumption
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1759-1770
JournalLife Sciences
Volume76
Issue number15
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2005

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