Conditioned taste aversion and cholinergic drugs: pharmacological antagonism. 1987

J A Romano, and J M King

The effectiveness of drugs as unconditioned stimuli (UCSs) in the conditioned taste aversion (CTA) procedure may be influenced by specific pharmacological antagonism. The present studies examined the UCS effects of two carbamates, physostigmine salicylate (PS) and pyridostigmine bromide (PB), and three anticholinergic compounds, atropine methyl nitrate (AMN), atropine sulfate (AS), and benactyzine hydrochloride (BH). Individual drugs, as well as combinations of the carbamates and the anticholinergics, were studied in a two-bottle procedure in rats. The lowest effective doses for eliciting significant CTAs were PS, 0.32 mg/kg; PB, 1.00 mg/kg; AMN, 0.04 mg/kg; AS, 0.07 mg/kg and BH, 0.90 mg/kg, IP. Combinations of PS with either AMN or BH were mutually antagonistic as UCSs, whereas PS with AS was not. PB with AMN, but not with AS, also showed antagonism in the procedure. The present results suggest that the CTA procedure is well-suited for direct examination of cholinergic drug effects and may also be used to explore interactions of different classes of cholinergic drugs.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D010277 Parasympathomimetics Drugs that mimic the effects of parasympathetic nervous system activity. Included here are drugs that directly stimulate muscarinic receptors and drugs that potentiate cholinergic activity, usually by slowing the breakdown of acetylcholine (CHOLINESTERASE INHIBITORS). Drugs that stimulate both sympathetic and parasympathetic postganglionic neurons (GANGLIONIC STIMULANTS) are not included here. Parasympathomimetic Agents,Parasympathomimetic Drugs,Parasympathomimetic Effect,Parasympathomimetic Effects,Agents, Parasympathomimetic,Drugs, Parasympathomimetic,Effect, Parasympathomimetic,Effects, Parasympathomimetic
D010830 Physostigmine A cholinesterase inhibitor that is rapidly absorbed through membranes. It can be applied topically to the conjunctiva. It also can cross the blood-brain barrier and is used when central nervous system effects are desired, as in the treatment of severe anticholinergic toxicity. Eserine
D011729 Pyridostigmine Bromide A cholinesterase inhibitor with a slightly longer duration of action than NEOSTIGMINE. It is used in the treatment of myasthenia gravis and to reverse the actions of muscle relaxants. Mestinon,Pyridostigmine,Bromide, Pyridostigmine
D003214 Conditioning, Classical Learning that takes place when a conditioned stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus. Reflex, Conditioned,Classical Conditioning,Classical Conditionings,Conditioned Reflex,Conditionings, Classical
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001285 Atropine An alkaloid, originally from Atropa belladonna, but found in other plants, mainly SOLANACEAE. Hyoscyamine is the 3(S)-endo isomer of atropine. AtroPen,Atropin Augenöl,Atropine Sulfate,Atropine Sulfate Anhydrous,Atropinol,Anhydrous, Atropine Sulfate,Augenöl, Atropin,Sulfate Anhydrous, Atropine,Sulfate, Atropine
D001362 Avoidance Learning A response to a cue that is instrumental in avoiding a noxious experience. Aversion Behavior,Aversion Learning,Aversive Behavior,Aversive Learning,Avoidance Behavior,Aversion Behaviors,Aversive Behaviors,Avoidance Behaviors,Behavior, Aversion,Behavior, Aversive,Behavior, Avoidance,Behaviors, Aversion,Behaviors, Aversive,Behaviors, Avoidance,Learning, Aversion,Learning, Aversive,Learning, Avoidance
D001535 Benactyzine A centrally acting muscarinic antagonist. Benactyzine has been used in the treatment of depression and is used in research to investigate the role of cholinergic systems on behavior. Amizil,Amizyl,Lucidil
D012439 Saccharin Flavoring agent and non-nutritive sweetener. Saccharin Calcium,Saccharin Sodium,Calcium, Saccharin

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