[Abstract Title]. - Society for Neuroscience

Authors: *O. RICE 1 , M. KRANTZ 2 , D. SCHONHAR 2 , Y. PIYIS 3 , M. MICHAELIDES 3 , N.
VOLKOW 4 , P. THANOS 3 ;
1 Psychology and Neurosci., 2 Furman Univ., Greenville, SC; 3 Brookhaven Natl. Lab., Upton, NY;
4 Natl. Inst. on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, MD
Abstract: Cannabinoids undoubtedly play a role in the reinforcing properties of abused drugs,
including alcohol. We previously reported that cannabinoid knockout (CB1 KO) mice consumed
and preferred significantly less ethanol (EtOH), in a two bottle choice drinking paradigm, than
did wild-type (WT) or heterozygous (HT) mice. In addition, we demonstrated that CB1 KO mice
did not develop a conditioned place preference (CPP) to EtOH, while the wild-type animals did
develop a CPP. The aim of this study was to further characterize the brain‟s CB1 receptor‟s
involvement in mediating, or modulating, chronic reinforcing effects of EtOH, by evaluating any
metabolic differences in brain regions associated with reward or the CB1 receptor, using [ 3 H ]2deoxy-2-fluoro-D-glucose
(2DG) and β-imager autoradiography (ARG). CB1 WT and KO mice
(N=6/genotype) were randomly assigned to either a high (1.5 g/kg) or low (0.5 g/kg) dose
ethanol consumption group. In order to simulate binge drinking all mice were trained to binge
drink water using a limited access drinking paradigm (1 hr/day). After the animals were trained
to binge drink for 1 hr/day, water was substituted for non alcoholic beer, which was eventually
spiked with either a high or low concentration of ethanol. The animals then drank either
concentration daily for 4 consecutive weeks, which constituted the chronic phase. The 2DG
procedure was initiated on the last day after 4 weeks of daily EtOH binge drinks. On 2DG days
mice were injected with 2DG via the lateral tail vein, immediately returned to their home cages
and allowed to binge drink for one hour. The animals were then sacrificed, and their brains were
harvested and sectioned for ARG. Blood was collected in order to measure blood glucose and
ethanol concentrations.
Disclosures: O. Rice , None; M. Krantz, None; D. Schonhar, None; Y. Piyis, None; M.
Michaelides, None; N. Volkow, None; P. Thanos, None.
Poster
257. Alcohol Intake and Preference
Time: Sunday, November 16, 2008, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Program#/Poster#: 257.16/Z33
Topic: C.16.a. Alcohol
Support: NIAAA Grant AA12600
Title: A novel compound, JR-220, reduces voluntary alcohol consumption in a limited-access
"drinking in the dark" paradigm