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

SALGUERO, A.; PAUTASSI, R.

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

The earlier the onset of alcohol use, the greater the probability of problematic use of alcohol later inlife. 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 ordrunkenness episode. This suggests that pre-clinical models of “early alcohol initiation” shouldfocus on a type of drug exposure akin to that of drunkenness. The present study assessed theeffects of adolescent binge-like ethanol intake, on ethanol self-administration at adulthood. Weexposed 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 totaldistance traveled in the Open Field (OF, PD 52) and recognition memory (PD 54); and then atadulthood 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 notaffect recognition memory. The rats that had been initially exposed to ethanol at adolescencedrank, during the intake tests conducted at adulthood, significantly more than those that had theirfirst experience with ethanol at adulthood. Adult ethanol intake was greater in females than inmales. The study indicates that binge ethanol drinking is associated with heightened ethanol intakeat adulthood. Preventing or delaying the use of alcohol to adolescents should reduce the likelihoodof problematic alcohol use or alcohol-related consequences.