CHOLINERGIC REGULATION OF ETHANOL-CONSUMPTION IN RATS

Cholinergic regulation of ethanol consumption was studied in rats usin g subcutaneous doses of saline, atropine (5 mg/kg), or methylatropine (5 mg/kg) twice daily for two days. Utilizing a two-bottle free-choice paradigm, rats were offered a choice between a 0.2% saccharin solutio n and a 10% ethanol/0.2% saccharin solution. Methylatropine significan tly decreased both ethanol and total fluid consumption on the first da y of treatment and depressed only ethanol consumption for the next fou r days. Atropine significantly decreased only ethanol consumption on b oth treatment days. These results suggest a peripheral site of action for anticholinergic effects on ethanol consumption