Individual differences in voluntary ethanol consumption lead to differential activation of the central amygdala in rats: relationship to the anxiolytic and stimulant effects of low dose ethanol

摘要

BackgroundAlthough alcohol use disorders and anxiety disorders are highly comorbid, the relationship between these two disorders is not fully understood. Previous work from our laboratory shows that anxiety-like behavior is highly variable in outbred Long-Evans rats and is related to the level of voluntary ethanol consumption, suggesting that basal anxiety state influences ethanol intake. To further examine the relationship between the acquisition of ethanol consumption and anxiety phenotype, Long-Evans rats were assessed for anxiety-like behavior and neuronal activation following voluntary ethanol consumption in a limited access drinking paradigm.