D-074 | Binge-like ethanol intake at adolescence alters sensitivity to the effects of the drug at adulthood

Development
Author: Camila Ravasi | Email: cravasi@mi.unc.edu.ar

Camila Ravasi^1°, Pedro Peñalver Abed^1°, Leonardo Marengo^2°,  Agustín Salguero^2°, Ricardo Pautassi^1°2°

^1° Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
^2° Instituto de Investigación Médica M. y M. Ferreyra, INIMEC-CONICET-UNC, Córdoba, Argentina.

Binge drinking is associated with a higher risk of developing alcohol use disorders. Studies of our lab reported that binge drinking in adolescent Wistar rats increases alcohol intake in adulthood. This study explored the mechanisms behind this effect. It assessed if adolescent binge drinking influences sensitivity to alcohol-induced intoxication and abstinence in adulthood, and its association with compulsive and anxiety-like behaviors. Wistar rats were exposed (or not) to binge ethanol drinking at postnatal days 25-45 (PDs 25-45; nine 2-hour sessions with access to 8-10% ethanol). In adulthood, they were subjected to alcohol or vehicle administration (PDs 61-65; 3 intragastric doses of 1.5 g/kg per day for 5 days), and signs of alcohol intoxication (PD’s 61-65) and withdrawal (PDs 62-71) were assessed. Compulsive and anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated using the Light-Dark Box, Elevated Plus Maze and Marble Burying tests (PDs 66-68). Wistar rats exposed to binge drinking at adolescence exhibited lower levels of alcohol intoxication signs compared to controls (p=0.01). Alcohol exposure in adulthood induced withdrawal (p<0.001) and alterations in anxiety patterns (p=0.08), regardless of adolescent exposure. The results suggest that adolescent binge drinking decreases sensitivity to the behavioral effects of alcohol in adulthood, possibly due to the development of tolerance. This highlights the need to further prevent early alcohol onset and binge drinking at adolescence.