The Cognitive and Behavioral Effects of Acute Ethanol Exposure and Acute Ethanol Withdrawal

Although ethanol, in the form of alcoholic beverages, is one of the most widely used and abused drugs, little research has focused on cognitive and behavioral impairments relating to acute ethanol withdrawal. The primary purpose of the current study was to determine the effects of acute ethanol withdrawal on cognition and behavior using the radial arm maze (RAM) and the elevated plus maze (EPM). The secondary purpose of the study was to explore the immediate effects of acute ethanol exposure using a repeated acquisition version of the RAM. Sixteen male, Long-Evans rats were used for the study. For acute ethanol testing, each subject received counterbalanced doses of 1.0g/kg ETOH or an equivalent volume of saline. The RAM was used for testing of acute effects. During the second phase of the study, the delayed effects at 2.0g/kg ETOH or saline were observed at four hours post-injection using the RAM, and at eight hours post-injection using both the RAM and EPM. During the final phase of the study, the delayed effects were observed at the 3.0g/kg ETOH dose or saline at twelve hours post injection using the RAM and EPM. All data were analyzed by means of a within subjects ANOVA. Subjects showed a decrement in learning the contingencies of the RAM after acute administration of ethanol. Significant impairments were seen after withdrawal from 3g/kg of ethanol, and a tendency for impairments in locomotor activity occurred after withdrawal from 2g/kg of ethanol. Although it appears that the delayed effects of ethanol impair locomotor activity, it did not impair the ability for subjects to learn the new contingencies of the maze. Although maze-familiar, the rats showed evidence of withdrawal-related anxiety and a decrease in locomotor activity atter withdrawal from 3g/kg of ethanol.