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Individual differences in taste responsivity influences food and fluid selection. Like humans, when presented with a “sweet”-tasting solution, rats will increase intake in a concentration-dependent manner. However, when presented sucralose, an artificial sweetener, and water, some rats drink more water (sucralose avoiders; SA) while some rats drink more sucralose (sucralose preferers; SP). Individual differences in processing oral cues and reward may contribute to variability in alcohol intake. Ethanol, described as primarily bitter, is innately avoided, but when the taste is paired with the postoral cues, ethanol can be learned to be preferred. Naltrexone, an opioid receptor antagonist, reduces responses to rewarding stimuli. Here, the hypothesis that sucralose acceptance predicts responses to ethanol was tested. Male and female rats categorized as SA/SP were presented 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10% ethanol in ascending order for daily 1-hr sessions. Ethanol intake decreased in a concentration-dependent manner for all rats. Next, the effect of naltrexone on ethanol intake was assessed. At 0.1 mg/kg naltrexone, SA females drank significantly more 4% ethanol than SP females (p = .005), suggesting sensitivity differences. All male rats decreased intake of 4% ethanol in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that sucralose acceptance does not predict ethanol intake in tests involving both oral and postoral cues. Additionally, differential responses to naltrexone suggest that sucralose acceptance is associated with differences in reward processing in female rats.
Advisor: | Treesukosol, Yada |
Commitee: | Zavala, Arturo, Miller, Karissa |
School: | California State University, Long Beach |
Department: | Psychology |
School Location: | United States -- California |
Source: | MAI 82/6(E), Masters Abstracts International |
Source Type: | DISSERTATION |
Subjects: | Psychobiology, Behavioral Sciences, Neurosciences, Food Science |
Keywords: | Diet choices, Ethanol, Ingestive behavior, Naltrexone, Sucralose preference, Taste differences, Food selection |
Publication Number: | 28028031 |
ISBN: | 9798698590903 |