Relatively short periods of passive IG infusion of ethanol induced levels of ethanol self-infusion in genetically heterogeneous rats that were comparable with drinking intakes previously reported in rats selectively bred for ethanol intake/preference. Although the induction of dependence/withdrawal may have played a role in this outcome, an alternative interpretation is that experimental rats self-infused more ethanol because passive exposure produced tolerance to aversive pharmacological effects that would otherwise limit intake of the paired flavor because of development of conditioned taste aversion. The current findings provide a strong basis for future work designed to identify parametric determinants of this form of self-administration, its sensitivity to genetic influences, and its neurobiological substrates.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.