This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Hatcher, J.P. Articles by Hagan, J.J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Hatcher, J.P. Articles by Hagan, J.J. Pubmed/NCBI databases Compound via MeSH Substance via MeSH Hazardous Substances DB SACCHARIN Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Chronic mild stress-induced reductions in saccharin intake depend upon feeding status

Neuroscience Research, SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, New Frontiers Science Park, Third Avenue, Harlow, Essex CM19 5AW, UK

D.J. Bell

SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, The Frythe, Welwyn, Herts AL6 9AR, UK

T.J. Reed

SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, The Frythe, Welwyn, Herts AL6 9AR, UK

J.J. Hagan

Neuroscience Research, SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, New Frontiers Science Park, Third Avenue, Harlow, Essex CM19 5AW, UK

The consumption of a weak saccharin solution was examined in rats subjected to chronic mild stress (CMS). Intake of saccharin was reduced in stressed animals compared to isolated and group control animals but saccharin preference was not affected. Removal of water deprivation from the CMS schedule did not alter the effects of CMS upon saccharin intake. However, when food deprivation was omitted entirely from the CMS schedule the reduction in saccharin intake was eliminated. Similarly, in animals habituated to the full CMS procedure, reduction in saccharin intake was abolished by omitting food deprivation or by delaying the intake test for 24 h. Both CMS and food deprivation reduced water intake but had no effect on food consumed during the fluid-intake test. The presence of food deprivation during CMS appears to be a key factor affecting saccharin intake. Our data suggest that saccharin intake is not an appropriate measure of stress and anhedonia.

Key Words: anhedonia • body weight depression • chronic mild stress • food deprivation • saccharin intake • water deprivation

Journal of Psychopharmacology, Vol. 11, No. 4, 331-338 (1997)
DOI: 10.1177/026988119701100408


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?