Abstract
Objectives: Despite the widespread use of alcohol the neurobiological differences underlying social drinking and addiction are poorly understood. The route of treatment has been found crucial to achieve addicted animals. However, even in such a paradigm not all animals will get addicted. We investigated the effects of chronic ethanol on drinking behavior, behavioral changes due to consumption, and blood levels in rats.
Methods: 77 PVG/OlaHsd hooded rats were subjected to a free-choice-design for alcohol consumption (4 bottles 0, 5, 10, and 20% ethanol). Alcohol deprivation phases were used to assess motivational changes. Drinking behavior was monitored daily. In addition rat behavior was tested in an elevated plus-maze and open-field test.
Results: Rats voluntarily consumed alcohol (6.5 ± 0.4 g/kg/d). Alcohol preference was highest on 5% solution. Motivation changed by occurrence of a significant deprivation effect after 40 days. Both acute and chronic treatment had an impact on anxiolytic-like behaviors. However, blood alcohol levels of voluntarily drinking rats were clearly lower compared to those after acute injection.
Conclusion: Rats not specifically prone to high alcohol consumption were suitable in free-choice-paradigms. Motivational changes occurred already after 40 days of treatment. Predictive value of such changes has to be elucidated in future.
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