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Alcohol preference in the laboratory rat induced by hypothalamic stimulation

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Abstract

Wistar rats were induced to drink aversive alcohol solutions by electrical stimulation in the lateral-hypothalamus. They increased their home-cage intake of alcohol over that of control animals. Changes in alcohol-directed behavior continued after termination of the brain-stimulation treatment. Experimental animals developed a preference for alcohol over water, tolerance for increasing doses of alcohol and alcohol dependence, as shown by withdrawal stress. They consumed alcohol even when it was contaminated with quinine. These data suggest the development of an addiction to the alcohol solutions.

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Author notes

  1. R. A Wise

    Present address: Sir George Williams University, Montreal

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology Department, McGill University, Montreal

    Z. Amit, Muriel H. Stern & R. A Wise

Authors
  1. Z. Amit
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  2. Muriel H. Stern
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  3. R. A Wise
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Amit, Z., Stern, M.H. & Wise, R.A. Alcohol preference in the laboratory rat induced by hypothalamic stimulation. Psychopharmacologia 17, 367–377 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00403808

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00403808

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