Administration of the sigma-1 receptor agonist PRE-084 at emerging adulthood, but not at early adolescence, attenuated ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion in female rats

Ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion (CTA) is greater in late adolescence or young adulthood than in early adolescence. The role of the sigma receptor system in this age-related difference has not been extensively explored, particularly in female rats. This study assessed the effects of the activation of sigma-1 receptors (S1-R), via the selective S1-R agonist PRE-084, on ethanol-induced CTA at early or at terminal adolescence/emerging adulthood (28 or 56 days-old at the beginning of the procedures, respectively) in female Wistar rats. The modulation of binge-like ethanol intake by PRE-084 was assessed at terminal adolescence. S1-R activation at the acquisition of ethanol-induced CTA attenuated such learning at terminal but not at early adolescence. PRE-084 did not significantly affect ethanol binge drinking in the terminal adolescents. These results highlight the role of S1-R in ethanol-induced CTA and suggest that differential functionality of this transmitter system may underlie age-specific sensitivities to the aversive effects of ethanol.

Automated summary

The study explored the effects of sigma-1 receptors (S1-R) activation on ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion (CTA) in early adolescence and terminal adolescence/emerging adulthood in female Wistar rats. The results showed that S1-R activation attenuated the learning of ethanol-induced CTA at terminal adolescence but not at early adolescence. Additionally, S1-R activation did not significantly affect binge-like ethanol intake in terminal adolescents.