Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Acquisition and loss of behaviorally augmented tolerance to ethanol in the rat

  • Animal Studies
  • Original Investigations
  • Published:
Psychopharmacology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The phenomenon of behavioral augmentation of tolerance (BAT) to ethanol (EtOH) in the rat was replicated in studies using the moving belt test of intoxication. Rats performing the test daily under the influence of EtOH (2.2 or 2.5 g/kg i.p.) developed tolerance more rapidly than those receiving the same dose after each daily session on the belt. However, both groups reached the same maximum level of tolerance. Acceleration of tolerance by BAT was proportional to the frequency of performance under the influence of EtOH when total exposure to EtOH was held constant. The degree of tolerance produced by BAT could not be increased by daily gavage with a large dose (6 g/kg) of EtOH. After termination of EtOH administration, tolerance produced by BAT was lost at the same rate, whether or not daily alcohol-free sessions on the belt test were given. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that BAT and conventionally produced tolerance differ only in rate.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Chen, C. S.: A study of the alcohol-tolerance effect and an introduction of a new behavioral technique. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 12, 433–440 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, C.-S.: A further note on studies of acquired behavioral tolerance to alcohol. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 27, 265 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibbins, R. J., Kalant, H., LeBlanc, A. E.: A technique for accurate measurement of moderate degrees of alcohol intoxication in small animals. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 159, 236–242 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalant, H., LeBlanc, A. E., Gibbins, R. J.: Tolerance to, and dependence on, some non-opiate psychotropic drugs. Pharmacol. Rev. 23, 135–191 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • LeBlanc, A. E., Gibbins, R. J., Kalant, H.: Behavioral augmentation of tolerance to ethanol in the rat. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 30, 117–122 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • LeBlanc, A. E., Gibbins, R. J., Kalant, H.: Generalization of behaviorally augmented tolerance to ethanol, and its relation to physical dependence. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 44, 241–246 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • LeBlanc, A. E., Kalant, H., Gibbins, R. J., Berman, N.: Acqisition and loss of tolerance to ethanol by the rat. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 168, 244–250 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Addiction Research Foundation of Ontario and Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, 33 Russell Street, M5S 2S1, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    A. E. Leblanc, H. Kalant & R. J. Gibbins

Authors
  1. A. E. Leblanc
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H. Kalant
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. R. J. Gibbins
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Leblanc, A.E., Kalant, H. & Gibbins, R.J. Acquisition and loss of behaviorally augmented tolerance to ethanol in the rat. Psychopharmacology 48, 153–158 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00423254

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00423254

Key words

Search

Navigation