Acute Alcohol Produces Ataxia and Cognitive Impairments in Aged Animals: A Comparison Between Young Adult and Aged Rats

Abstract

We demonstrate for the first time that aged rats show greater EtOH-induced deficits compared with young adults in tasks of motor and cognitive performance. The possible role of protein kinase C as a mechanism for increased sensitivity to the motor-impairing effects of EtOH is discussed. Given the high prevalence of alcohol use among the elderly, increased vulnerability to alcohol-induced deficits may have a profound effect on injury in this population.

Young adults with mild traumatic brain injury—the influence of alcohol consumption—a retrospective analysis

“…Even though our data do not prove a direct causality, we believe that the higher statistical probability of suffering concomitant injuries, open wounds, and fractures is explained by the generally accepted alcohol-related impairment of neurological functioning in the form of reflexes and visual disturbances [29,30].…”

The effects of acute alcohol on motor impairments in adolescent, adult, and aged rats

“…Research indicates that older rodents are more sensitive to acute alcohol exposure compared to adolescent and adult rats (Novier, Van Skike, Diaz-Granados, Mittleman, & Matthews, 2013;Van Skike et al, 2010). Older rodents are more sensitive to the hypnotic (Ott, Hunter, & Walker, 1985) and hypothermic effects of acute alcohol , as well as the severity of alcohol withdrawal (Wood, Armbrecht, & Wise, 1982) compared to younger rodents.…”

“…Furthermore, Novier et al (2013) investigated the differences in the motor and memory-impairing effects of acute alcohol between adult and aged rats.…”

“…Although current research has recognized differential motor impairments between adolescent and aged rats White et al, 2002) and adult and aged rats (Novier et al, 2013), research has yet to systematically investigate the effect of acute ethanol on motor impairments across the lifespan using a dose-dependent analysis. In addition, the effect of age on a high dose of alcohol-induced hypnosis has yet to be investigated.…”

“…These ages were selected because PD 28-30 is a developmental period of early adolescence based on evidence that mature sperm is not yet found, while all sperm are mature at PD 70, indicating this age is the beginning of adulthood (Odell, 1990). Aged animals were 18 months, to be consistent with our previous work (Novier et al, 2013). Animal care procedures were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Baylor University.…”