Tolerance to Ethanol’s Ataxic Effects and Alterations in Ethanol-Induced Locomotion Following Repeated Binge-Like Ethanol Intake Using the DID Model

Abstract

Background-Tolerance to the behavioral and subjective effects of alcohol (ethanol) is thought to be a major predictive factor for the development of alcoholism. Evidence from rodent models has supported this view with those animals most likely to develop tolerance generally drinking and preferring ethanol more so than those resistant to it. Despite this evidence, very little is known about the behavioral relationships between ethanol-induced tolerance and consumption. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the development of tolerance to the ataxic effects of ethanol using a mouse model of binge-like intake dubbed 'Drinking in the Dark' (DID; Rhodes et al., 2005). We hypothesized that mice would become tolerant to the ataxic effects of ethanol as this behavior is known to be altered at the blood ethanol concentrations reached using this model (≥ 80 mg/dl).

Involvement of the GABAA Receptor in Age‐Dependent Differences in Binge‐Like Ethanol Intake

“…That is, after a similar increase in ambulatory counts on the first EtOH access, resulting potentially from taste neophobia in both age groups, locomotor activity across the 7 days of DID progressively changed in opposite directions depending on the age of mice. Thus, consistent with previous results in adult B6 male mice (Linsenbardt and Boehm, 2012;Linsenbardt et al, 2011), home-cage locomotor depression was observed in adults over repeated access to EtOH, may be due to a gradual adaptation to EtOH taste. In contrast, adolescents exhibited higher locomotor activity on the final day of the acquisition phase relative to the first one, which could mean that sensitization to the stimulant effects of EtOH was developed.…”

Recent advances with a novel model organism: Alcohol tolerance and sensitization in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

“…The most common measure of alcohol-induced sensitization is the progressive increase of locomotor activation in response to repeated administration (Kalivas & Stewart, 1991; Harrison & Nobrega, 2009). Although repeated exposure to alcohol often leads to the development of tolerance (Seeley et al, 1996; Lindsenbardt et al, 2011), alcohol sensitization may also occur under specific temporal and dose specific administration conditions (Didone et al, 2008; Philips et al, 2011). …”

Social and environmental enrichment has different effects on ethanol and sucrose consumption in mice

“…Additionally, a study by Linsenbart and colleagues shows that mice consuming ethanol using the DID model had more hind foot slips on the balance beam on day 8 than mice consuming water; but by day 15, the number of hind foot slips was similar to water-consuming mice (Linsenbardt, Moore, Griffin, Gigante, & Boehm, 2011), suggesting that the mice developed tolerance to ethanol sometime before the 15th day of exposure.…”