The rapid onset of tolerance to ataxic effects of ethanol in mice

We have developed a precise quantal method for assessing the sensitivity to ethanol in the mouse. Mice placed on a clamped stationary horizontal dowel are scored ataxic or not ataxic depending on whether they are able to remain on the dowel during a 30-s observation period. A threshold blood ethanol...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychopharmacology 1982-01, Vol.78 (1), p.67-70
Main Authors: Gallaher, E J, Parsons, L M, Goldstein, D B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Drug Tolerance
Ethanol - blood
Ethanol - pharmacology
Locomotion - drug effects
Male
Motor Activity - drug effects
Motor Skills - drug effects
Muridae
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:We have developed a precise quantal method for assessing the sensitivity to ethanol in the mouse. Mice placed on a clamped stationary horizontal dowel are scored ataxic or not ataxic depending on whether they are able to remain on the dowel during a 30-s observation period. A threshold blood ethanol concentration is determined by assaying tail blood drawn immediately upon recovery from ethanol-induced ataxia. This threshold is quite reproducible within a population of Swiss-Webster mice (coefficient of variation 9%). The precision of this method allowed us to follow the onset of rapid tolerance during a series of sequential IP ethanol doses. Tolerance persisted overnight in the absence of ethanol, and was found not to increase further with additional ethanol exposure on 2 subsequent days. The observed tolerance was shown not to be due to circadian changes in ethanol sensitivity or repeated practice on the task, indicating a true tissue tolerance.
ISSN:0033-3158
1432-2072
DOI:10.1007/BF00470591