Journal Article

Effects of the benzodiazepine GABA sub(A) alpha 1-preferring ligand, 3-propoxy- beta -carboline hydrochloride (3-PBC), on alcohol seeking and self-administration in baboons

Linn, Michael L, Kaminski, Barbara J, Yin, Wenyuan, Cook, James M, Weerts, Elise M

2013

Overview

Rationale: The various alpha subtypes of GABA sub(A) receptors have been strongly implicated in alcohol reinforcement and consumption. Objectives: The effects of the GABA sub(A) alpha 1-preferring ligand, 3-propoxy- beta -carboline hydrochloride (3-PBC), on seeking and self-administration responses were evaluated in two groups of baboons trained under a 3-component chained schedule of reinforcement (CSR). Methods: Alcohol (4 %w/v; n=5; alcohol group) or a preferred nonalcoholic beverage (n=4; control group) was available for self-administration only in component 3 of the CSR. Responses in component 2 provided indices of motivation to drink (seeking). 3-PBC (1.0-30.0 mg/kg) and saline were administered before drinking sessions under both acute and 5-day dosing conditions. Results: Repeated, and not acute, doses of 3-PBC significantly decreased total self-administration responses (p<0.05), volume consumed (p<0.05), and gram per kilogram of alcohol (p<0.05) in the alcohol group. In the control group, 5-day administration of 3-PBC significantly decreased total self-administration responses (p<0.05) but produced nonsignificant decreases in volume consumed. Within-session pattern of drinking was characterized by a high level of drinking in the first 20 min of the session for both groups, which was significantly (p<0.05) decreased by all doses of 3-PBC (1.0-18.0 mg/kg) only in the alcohol group. In contrast, the first drinking bout in the control group was only reduced at the highest doses of 3-PBC (10.0 and 18.0 mg/kg). Conclusions: The results support the involvement of the GABA sub(A) alpha 1 subtype receptor in alcohol reinforcement and consumption.

• Subject: Papio