Learned taste aversion to saccharin following intraventricular or intraperitoneal administration of d,l-amphetamine.

The effects of intracerebroventricular (ICV--160, 250, 500 micrograms) and intraperitoneal (IP--3,5 mg/kg) administration of d,1-amphetamine were compared using a multiple-bottle CTA procedure. After one conditioning trial animals receiving IP amphetamine exhibited a marked aversion to saccharin. This effect was dose-dependent. With cannulated animals receiving ICV saline the effectiveness of amphetamine at 5 mg/kg IP was equivalent to that of 3 mg/kg IP with unoperated rats. After one conditioning trial amphetamine at 160 micrograms ICV was ineffective in inducing an aversion to saccharin. Animals receiving 250 or 500 micrograms ICV exhibited a marked aversion to saccharin after one trial. The 160 micrograms ICV dose was effective after two conditioning trials. This differential potency of centrally and peripherally administered amphetamine after one conditioning trial indicates that the aversive stimulus properties of amphetamine may not simply be centrally mediated. It is proposed that both central and peripheral amphetamine effects may be necessary for the induction of a CTA with this drug.