Neurological status and ethanol preference in rats during alcohol addiction formation

Aim. To estimate the features of neurological status and drinking behaviour in rats during 20 days of chronic alcohol intake.

Methods. The current study was performed on 40 male Wistar rats (170-300 g). The animals from the study group were administered 15% solution of ethanol used as the only fluid source. On day 20 of the experiment the alcohol preference test and evaluation of neurological status were performed: tail-suspension (to determine paresis and paralysis), home cage motion activity (to determine gait disorders and stereotypic movements) and features of horizontal beam-walking (evaluation of movement coordination) were assessed, presence of the basic reflexes (startle reflex, external auditory canal reflex, corneal reflex) was controlled.

Results. The main neurological signs were presented as ataxic form, in which unsteady gait in beam-walking test was predominant. In the experimental groups, the signs of ataxic form of neurological deficit were demonstrated, when animals slipped off and fell off the beam within 40 s from the beginning of the test. This was associated with the significant increase of discrimination ratio in alcohol preference test.

Conclusion. In rat models of chronic alcohol intake, significant changes in drinking behavior and alcohol preference test were found on day 20 of the experiment, reflecting formation of alcohol addiction; changes in drinking behavior were associated with mild and moderate neurological deficit, primarily including movement coordination disorders that illustrates the malfunction of peripheral nervous system.