Effects of adrenaline on the acquisition and maintenance of ethanol preference in a taste conditioning paradigm.

The effects of subcutaneous adrenaline administration on preference for ethanol (2.5% solution) have been investigated, using a two-bottle choice situation. Administration of the amine (50 micrograms/kg) immediately after the conditioning session significantly attenuated ethanol preference. Adrenaline treatment (10, 50 or 100 micrograms/kg) prior to the first retention test induced a significant reduction in ethanol preference. When the amine was injected prior to conditioning only the dose of 100 micrograms/kg reduced later ethanol preference. Our results indicate that systemically administered adrenaline impairs the acquisition of preference to a weak ethanol solution. It is suggested that this effect of the amine may be linked to interference with consolidation of memory and retrieval processes.