Affiliations: Psychiatrische Klinik und Poliklinik | Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Johannes
Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
Note: [] Korrespondenzadresse: PD Dr. Ulrich Schmitt,
Verhaltenspharmakologisches Labor, Psychiatrische Klinik und Poliklinik,
Universität Mainz, Untere Zahlbacherstrasse 8, 55101 Mainz. E-mail:
schmitt@psychiatrie.klinik.uni-mainz.de
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.
Keywords: Free-choice, alcohol preference, blood levels, motivation, anxiety, rat
