CCKB ANTAGONISTS PROTECT AGAINST SOME ASPECTS OF THE ETHANOL WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME

Effects of the CCK, antagonists, CAM1028 and CI988, and the CCKA antag onist, CAM1481, were studied on the ethanol withdrawal syndrome. When handling-induced behavior was measured hourly for 12 h from withdrawal of ethanol, a small, but significant, protective effect was seen with 3 mg/kg CAM1028, but not with 0.3, 1, or 10 mg/kg. CI988 (0.3 1, 3, o r 10 mg/kg), or CAM1481 (0.1 or 1 mg/kg), had no effects. At 16 h from ethanol withdrawal, these ratings were significantly decreased by 3 m g/kg CAM1028 or CI988, but not by lower doses. At 16 h, CAM1481 had ve ry small, but significant, protective effects. At 3 mg/kg, CAM1028, in creased the latencies to audiogenic seizures, but had only small effec ts on convulsion incidence. CAM1481 did not alter the audiogenic convu lsions. The decrease in convulsion thresholds to NMDLA, at 16 h from e thanol withdrawal, was completely prevented by CAM1028 or CI988, at 1 and at 3 mg/kg, but not by lower doses; CAM1481 had no significant eff ects. The results suggest change in CCKB receptors may be involved in the later stages of the ethanol withdrawal syndrome. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.