Binge-like ethanol drinking during adolescence increases ethanol consumption at adulthood in Wistar rats

SALGUERO, AGUSTÍN; PAUTASSI R.M.

San Pablo

Congreso; 2022 Virtual Meeting of the Latinamerican Society of Biomedical Research on Alcoholism; 2022

Latinamerican Society of Biomedical Research on Alcoholism

The earlier the onset of alcohol use, the greater the probability of problematic use of alcohol later in life. Several clinical studies, however, suggest that the initial contact with alcohol is not as relevant, as a predictive milestone for subsequent problematic substance use, as the first intoxication or drunkenness episode. This suggests that pre-clinical models of ?early alcohol initiation? should focus on a type of drug exposure akin to that of drunkenness. The present study assessed the effects of adolescent binge-like ethanol intake, on ethanol self-administration at adulthood. We exposed Wistar rats, males or females, to self-administered 8-10% (v/v) ethanol during 2 hours, three times a week during postnatal days (PDs) 31-50. Shortly after the rats were tested for total distance traveled in the Open Field (OF, PD 52) and recognition memory (PD 54); and then at adulthood tested for free-choice drinking during PDs 87-97 in intermittent two-bottle intake tests. Results show that adolescent binge drinking decreased distance traveled in the OF while did not affect recognition memory. The rats that had been initially exposed to ethanol at adolescence drank, during the intake tests conducted at adulthood, significantly more than those that had their first experience with ethanol at adulthood. Adult ethanol intake was greater in females than in males. The study indicates that binge ethanol drinking is associated with heightened ethanol intake at adulthood. Preventing or delaying the use of alcohol to adolescents should reduce the likelihood of problematic alcohol use or alcohol-related consequences.