Lithium reduces preference for ethanol induced by hypothalamic stimulation
McCaughran, J.A.; Corcoran, M.E.
Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 29(2): 120-121
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3573 PMID: 15061 Document Number: 113232
The effects of Li were studied on the chronic preference for concentrated solutions of ethanol established by hypothalamic stimulation in rats. Administration of Li produced a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in intake of ethanol. The reduction in ethanol intake was evident with the lower dosage of Li (0.3 meq kg-1), and subsequent doubling of the dosage of Li not only failed to produce a further reduction in intake of ethanol, but actually seemed to result in a slight increase in intake. The reduction in intake of ethanol was not due to a nonspecific depression of drinking, because it was compensated for by a significant increase in intake of water. There were marked individual differences in the responses of the rats to Li, in that the rats with a long-standing preference for ethanol were least affected by Li, whereas a greater depression of intake was observed in the rats that did not prefer ethanol or had developed a preference only recently.