APPETITIVE AND CONSUMMATORY BEHAVIORS IN THE CONTROL OF ETHANOL-CONSUMPTION - A MEASURE OF ETHANOL SEEKING BEHAVIOR

Models of ethanol self-administration in animals have demonstrated tha t ethanol can reinforce a variety of behaviors, independent of ethanol 's caloric or fluid properties. However, the processes that control se lf-administration remain unclear. Determining factors related to ethan ol seeking behavior, independent of consumption, is central to the con cepts of intake regulation. The model described in this article propos es a method to separate the initial appetitive (seeking) behavior from the following consummatory (drinking) behavior to assess each behavio r type. Rats were trained to lever press to gain access to a drinking tube connected to a quid bottle containing either 10% ethanol or 3% su crose for 20 min. When the response requirement to obtain access to th e tube was increased, it was found that both solutions supported the s ame amount of responding (breakpoint was at approximately a fixed rati o 32 requirement), indicating equal reinforcer strength. However, rega rdless of the response requirement, if access to the fluids occurred, intakes were not changed. This suggests that factors besides those of reinforcer efficacy are important in controlling the sire of the consu mmatory bout. Based on these findings, we believe that this model will be useful in determining factors related to seeking behaviors and the control of drinking bout sire.