Accentuated Decrease in Social Interaction in Rats Subjected to Repeated Ethanol Withdrawals

Abstract

Background-Previous work has shown that repeated withdrawals from chronic ethanol exposure can kindle seizures in rodents. In this article, the effects of a three-cycle model of ethanol exposure and withdrawal on the social interaction test of anxiety are summarized.

Similar anxiety-like responses in male and female rats exposed to repeated withdrawals from ethanol

“…Following the short period of adaptation, all rats were placed on nutritionally complete liquid diets similar with those used previously in this laboratory (e.g., Frye et al, 1983;Moy et al, 1997Moy et al, , 2000Overstreet et al, 2002). Briefly, the diet was a lactalbumin/dextrose-based, nutritionally complete diet (with concentrations of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients derived from ICN Research Diets).…”

“…In general, behavioral assessments were conducted after 15 or 16 days of exposure to the ED between 5 and 6 h after the removal of the ethanol at 600. This time point was selected on the basis of previous observations of anxiety-like behavior in our laboratory (e.g., Knapp et al, 1998;Moy et al, 1997Moy et al, , 2000Overstreet et al, 2002).…”

“…A modification of the standard social interaction test was used to reduce the number of animals needed for experiments (see Overstreet et al, 2002). In the present studies, pairs of rats with the same treatment were placed in the arena, and the social interactions initiated by each member of the pair were recorded, thereby requiring fewer rats.…”

“…There have also been reports that human subjects who have experienced multiple detoxifications may have increased craving for ethanol and a greater risk of relapse (Brown et al, 1988;Malcolm et al, 2000a,b). More recently, our laboratory has focused on anxiety-like behavior in ethanol-withdrawn rats Overstreet et al, 2002). For example, there is a greater reduction in social interaction behavior in rats repeatedly cycled through chronic ethanol exposure and withdrawal over 15 days compared with animals that were exposed to a single cycle or to similar amounts of 4.5% ethanol administered in a continuous (noncycled) fashion over 15 days (Overstreet et al, 2002).…”

“…More recently, our laboratory has focused on anxiety-like behavior in ethanol-withdrawn rats Overstreet et al, 2002). For example, there is a greater reduction in social interaction behavior in rats repeatedly cycled through chronic ethanol exposure and withdrawal over 15 days compared with animals that were exposed to a single cycle or to similar amounts of 4.5% ethanol administered in a continuous (noncycled) fashion over 15 days (Overstreet et al, 2002). Moreover, these effects can be ameliorated by drugs interacting with serotonin (Overstreet et al, 2003) or corticotropin-releasing hormone or be potentiated by exposure to restraint stress .…”