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Brain Sciences
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Longitudinal Assessment of Alcohol Exposure on Brain and Behavior
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Longitudinal Assessment of Alcohol Exposure on Brain and Behavior

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Behavioral Neuroscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 February 2021) | Viewed by 20639

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Cheryl Kirstein

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
Interests: adolescence; alcohol; dopamine; self-administration; Alzheimer’s disease pathology; cognitive neuroscience
Prof. Dr. Antoinette Maldonado-Devincci

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Psychology, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
Interests: adolescent; sex differences; alcohol consumption

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Alcoholism is a complex disease that typically begins with alcohol experimentation and use early in development. Early childhood and early to late adolescence have been shown to be critical periods during which the developing brain is particularly susceptible to alcohol’s effects. Alcohol administration during development has been shown to facilitate adulthood dependence. Importantly, behavioral/personality traits have been utilized to determine predictability of escalation to increased alcohol use and abuse. Recent studies have begun to examine this important issue from a developmental perspective in both males and females. Alcohol addiction is a progressive disease that does not typically begin in adults, rather during a time of rapid brain development. Investigating and addressing the impact of alcohol and the developmental progression of addiction, is paramount to understanding how to mitigate alcohol’s impact on the brain (molecular to behavioral mechanisms) and, ultimately, society.

This Special Issue of Brain Sciences will provide readers with a multifaceted and thorough combination of current and innovative experiments examining the impact of alcohol during critical developmental periods. These studies will greatly further our understanding of the importance of timing of alcohol exposure in subsequent use and abuse. We invite you to submit contributions for this Special Issue, from both basic and applied scientific approaches, that will inform the scientific community in order to develop points of intervention for both therapy and treatment.

Prof. Cheryl L Kirstein
Prof. Antoinette Maldonado-Devincci
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • puberty
  • alcohol
  • dopamine
  • self management
  • sex difference
  • alcohol consumption

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 5679 KiB  
Article
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure in Rats Diminishes Postnatal Cxcl16 Chemokine Ligand Brain Expression
by Pedro Juárez-Rodríguez, Marisol Godínez-Rubí, Carolina Guzmán-Brambila, Edgar Padilla-Velarde, Arturo Orozco-Barocio, Daniel Ortuño-Sahagún and Argelia E. Rojas-Mayorquín
Brain Sci. 2020, 10(12), 987; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10120987 - 15 Dec 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2927
Abstract
Maternal ethanol consumption during pregnancy is one of the main causes of Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) produces several adverse manifestations. Even low or moderate intake has been associated with long-lasting behavioral and cognitive impairment in offspring. In this study we [...] Read more.
Maternal ethanol consumption during pregnancy is one of the main causes of Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) produces several adverse manifestations. Even low or moderate intake has been associated with long-lasting behavioral and cognitive impairment in offspring. In this study we examined the gene expression profile in the rat nucleus accumbens using microarrays, comparing animals exposed prenatally to ethanol and controls. Microarray gene expression showed an overall downward regulatory effect of PAE. Gene cluster analysis reveals that the gene groups most affected are related to transcription regulation, transcription factors and homeobox genes. We focus on the expression of the C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 16 (Cxcl16) which was differentially expressed. There is a significant reduction in the expression of this chemokine throughout the brain under PAE conditions, evidenced here by quantitative polymerase chain reaction qPCR and immunohistochemistry. Chemokines are involved in neuroprotection and implicated in alcohol-induced brain damage and neuroinflammation in the developing central nervous system (CNS), therefore, the significance of the overall decrease in Cxcl16 expression in the brain as a consequence of PAE may reflect a reduced ability in neuroprotection against subsequent conditions, such as excitotoxic damage, inflammatory processes or even hypoxic-ischemic insult. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Longitudinal Assessment of Alcohol Exposure on Brain and Behavior)
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14 pages, 1933 KiB  
Article
Chronic Ethanol Exposure during Adolescence Increases Voluntary Ethanol Consumption in Adulthood in Female Sprague Dawley Rats
by Antoniette M. Maldonado-Devincci and Cheryl L. Kirstein
Brain Sci. 2020, 10(12), 900; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10120900 - 24 Nov 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2257
Abstract
Early alcohol use is a major concern due to the dramatic rise in alcohol use during adolescence. In humans, adolescent males and females consume alcohol at equivalent rates; however, in adulthood males are more likely to consume harmful levels of alcohol. In animal [...] Read more.
Early alcohol use is a major concern due to the dramatic rise in alcohol use during adolescence. In humans, adolescent males and females consume alcohol at equivalent rates; however, in adulthood males are more likely to consume harmful levels of alcohol. In animal models, the long-term dose-dependent and sex-dependent effects of alcohol exposure during adolescence have not been readily assessed relative to exposure that is initiated in adulthood. The purpose of the present set of experiments was to determine if adolescent exposure to chronic ethanol would predispose male and female rats to greater ethanol intake in adulthood when compared to animals that were not exposed to chronic ethanol exposure until early adulthood. Male and female rats were chronically administered 0.75 g/kg or 1.5 g/kg ethanol or saline for 21 days during adolescence (postnatal day (PND) 30–50) or adulthood (PND 60–80). All rats subsequently underwent 14-days of abstinence (PND 51–64 or PND 81–94, respectively). Finally, all rats were given 30-min daily access to saccharin-sweetened ethanol or saccharin alone from PND 65–80 for adolescent-exposed rats and PND 95–110 for adult-exposed rats. Exposure to 0.75 g/kg ethanol did not alter ethanol or saccharin intake in adolescent-exposed or adult-exposed rats, regardless of sex. In contrast, chronic exposure to the higher 1.5 g/kg dose during adolescence increased ethanol intake in adulthood in female rats. However, there was no change in saccharin intake in animals exposed to 1.5 g/kg ethanol during adolescence or adulthood, regardless of sex. Additionally, there were no clear age- and ethanol-dependent changes in duration of loss of righting reflex and blood ethanol concentrations to a challenge administration of a higher dose of ethanol. The results of the present set of experiments indicate chronic exposure to a high dose of ethanol during adolescence in female rats did indeed predispose rats to consume more ethanol in adulthood. Given that these effects were only observed in adolescent-exposed female rats, these results support a unique vulnerability to the long-term consequences of adolescent ethanol exposure in female rats, an effect that is not merely mediated by the sweetener used in the ethanol solution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Longitudinal Assessment of Alcohol Exposure on Brain and Behavior)
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15 pages, 1941 KiB  
Article
Spontaneous Ultrasonic Vocalization Transmission in Adult, Male Long–Evans Rats Is Age-Dependent and Sensitive to EtOH Modulation
by Nitish Mittal, W. Todd Maddox, Timothy Schallert and Christine L. Duvauchelle
Brain Sci. 2020, 10(11), 890; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10110890 - 22 Nov 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2173
Abstract
Ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) are well-established markers of motivational and emotional status. Recent work from our lab has provided novel evidence for a role of USVs in models of ethanol (EtOH) use. For instance, USV acoustic characteristics can be used to accurately discriminate between [...] Read more.
Ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) are well-established markers of motivational and emotional status. Recent work from our lab has provided novel evidence for a role of USVs in models of ethanol (EtOH) use. For instance, USV acoustic characteristics can be used to accurately discriminate between rats selectively bred for high EtOH intake (e.g., alcohol-preferring (P) and high-alcohol-drinking (HAD)) versus EtOH-avoiding (e.g., alcohol-non-preferring (NP) and low-alcohol-drinking (LAD)) strains, as well as differentiate between male and female rats. In the present study we sought to explore the effect of age and alcohol availability on spontaneously emitted 50–55 kHz frequency modulated (FM) and 22–28 kHz USVs in adult, male Long–Evans rats. With the hypothesis that age and alcohol experience influence spontaneous USV emissions, we examined USV data collected across a 24-week intermittent EtOH access experiment in male Long–Evans rats. USV counts and acoustic characteristic (i.e., mean frequency, duration, bandwidth and power) data revealed distinct age-dependent phenotypes in both 50–55 kHz FM and 22–28 kHz USV transmission patterns that were modulated by EtOH exposure. These results highlight the influence of age and EtOH experience on the unique emotional phenotypes of male Long–Evans rats. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Longitudinal Assessment of Alcohol Exposure on Brain and Behavior)
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14 pages, 1003 KiB  
Article
Combined Effects of Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Alcohol Drinking on the Neuroinflammatory Cytokine Response and Cognitive Behavioral Outcomes
by Jessica Hoffman, Jin Yu, Cheryl Kirstein and Mark S. Kindy
Brain Sci. 2020, 10(11), 876; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10110876 - 19 Nov 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2598
Abstract
The relationship between alcohol consumption and traumatic brain injury (TBI) often focuses on alcohol consumption increasing the likelihood of incurring a TBI, rather than alcohol use outcomes after TBI. However, patients without a history of an alcohol use disorder can also show increased [...] Read more.
The relationship between alcohol consumption and traumatic brain injury (TBI) often focuses on alcohol consumption increasing the likelihood of incurring a TBI, rather than alcohol use outcomes after TBI. However, patients without a history of an alcohol use disorder can also show increased problem drinking after single or multiple TBIs. Alcohol and mild TBI share diffuse deleterious neurological impacts and cognitive impairments; therefore, the purpose of these studies was to determine if an interaction on brain and behavior outcomes occurs when alcohol is consumed longitudinally after TBI. To examine the impact of mild repetitive TBI (rmTBI) on voluntary alcohol consumption, mice were subjected to four mild TBI or sham procedures over a 2 week period, then offered alcohol (20% v/v) for 2 weeks using the two-bottle choice, drinking in the dark protocol. Following the drinking period, mice were evaluated for neuroinflammatory cytokine response or tested for cognitive and behavioral deficits. Results indicate no difference in alcohol consumption or preference following rmTBI as compared to sham; however, increases in the neuroinflammatory cytokine response due to alcohol consumption and some mild cognitive behavioral deficits after rmTBI and alcohol consumption were observed. These data suggest that the cytokine response to alcohol drinking and rmTBI + alcohol drinking is not necessarily aggregate, but the combination does result in an exacerbation of cognitive behavioral outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Longitudinal Assessment of Alcohol Exposure on Brain and Behavior)
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20 pages, 2919 KiB  
Article
Moderate Adolescent Ethanol Vapor Exposure and Acute Stress in Adulthood: Sex-Dependent Effects on Social Behavior and Ethanol Intake in Sprague–Dawley Rats
by Meredith E. Gamble and Marvin R. Diaz
Brain Sci. 2020, 10(11), 829; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10110829 - 7 Nov 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2816
Abstract
Adolescent alcohol use can lead to numerous consequences, including altered stress reactivity and higher risk for later anxiety and alcohol use disorders. Many studies have examined the consequences of heavy ethanol exposure in adolescence, but far less is understood about lower levels of [...] Read more.
Adolescent alcohol use can lead to numerous consequences, including altered stress reactivity and higher risk for later anxiety and alcohol use disorders. Many studies have examined the consequences of heavy ethanol exposure in adolescence, but far less is understood about lower levels of intoxication. The present study examined moderate adolescent ethanol exposure as a possible factor in increasing stress reactivity in adulthood, measured through general and social anxiety-like behaviors, as well voluntary ethanol intake. Male and female Sprague–Dawley rats underwent an adolescent chronic intermittent ethanol (aCIE) vapor exposure during early adolescence, reaching moderate blood ethanol concentrations. Animals then underwent two days of forced swim stress in adulthood. We found that ethanol-exposed males consumed more ethanol than their air counterparts and an interesting stress and ethanol exposure interaction in males. There were no significant effects on voluntary drinking in females. However, the social interaction test revealed increased play-fighting behavior in ethanol-exposed females and reduced social preference in females after two days of stress exposure. Overall, this work provides evidence for sex-specific, long-term effects of moderate aCIE and susceptibility to acute stress in adulthood. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Longitudinal Assessment of Alcohol Exposure on Brain and Behavior)
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16 pages, 2380 KiB  
Article
Adolescent Alcohol Exposure Produces Protracted Cognitive-Behavioral Impairments in Adult Male and Female Rats
by Victoria Macht, Natalie Elchert and Fulton Crews
Brain Sci. 2020, 10(11), 785; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10110785 - 28 Oct 2020
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 3364
Abstract
Binge drinking is common in adolescence. Rodent studies modeling adolescent binge drinking find persistent effects on the brain’s physiology, including increased expression of neuroimmune genes, impaired neurogenesis, and changes in behavioral flexibility. This study used females and males to investigate the effects of [...] Read more.
Binge drinking is common in adolescence. Rodent studies modeling adolescent binge drinking find persistent effects on the brain’s physiology, including increased expression of neuroimmune genes, impaired neurogenesis, and changes in behavioral flexibility. This study used females and males to investigate the effects of adolescent intermittent ethanol (AIE) on a battery of behaviors assessing spatial navigation using a radial arm water maze, working memory using the Hebb-Williams maze, non-spatial long-term memory using novel object recognition, and dominance using a tube dominance test. Results indicate that AIE impairs adult acquisition in spatial navigational learning with deficits predominantly driven by females. Surprisingly, AIE slowed the transition from random to serial search strategies in both sexes, suggesting AIE impairs flexibility in problem-solving processing. In the Hebb-Williams maze working memory task, adult AIE rats exhibited deficits in problem solving, resulting in more errors across the 12 maze configurations, independent of sex. Conversely, AIE decreased dominance behaviors in female rats, and at 7 months post-alcohol, female AIE rats continued to exhibit deficits in novel object recognition. These results suggest that cognitive-behavioral alterations after adolescent binge drinking persist well into middle age, despite abstinence. Future studies should focus on intervening treatment strategies in both females and males. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Longitudinal Assessment of Alcohol Exposure on Brain and Behavior)
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13 pages, 1531 KiB  
Article
Treadmill Exercise Buffers Behavioral Alterations Related to Ethanol Binge-Drinking in Adolescent Mice
by Patricia Sampedro-Piquero, Carmelo Millón, Román D. Moreno-Fernández, María García-Fernández, Zaida Diaz-Cabiale and Luis Javier Santin
Brain Sci. 2020, 10(9), 576; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10090576 - 20 Aug 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3640
Abstract
The binge-drinking pattern of EtOH consumption, which is frequently observed in adolescents, is known to induce several neurobehavioral alterations, but protection strategies against these impairments remain scarcely explored. We aimed to study the protective role of treadmill physical exercise on the deficits caused [...] Read more.
The binge-drinking pattern of EtOH consumption, which is frequently observed in adolescents, is known to induce several neurobehavioral alterations, but protection strategies against these impairments remain scarcely explored. We aimed to study the protective role of treadmill physical exercise on the deficits caused after repeated cycles of binge-like EtOH exposure in the cognition, motivation, exploration, and emotion of C57BL/6J mice from adolescence to adulthood. Animals were divided into four groups: control group, exercised group, EtOH group, and exercised + EtOH group (20% in tap water). The exercise was performed for 20 min, 5 days/week at 20 cm/s. Then, animals were submitted to several behavioral tasks. Compared to binge-drinking mice, the exercised + EtOH group exhibited diminished anxiolytic-related behaviors in the elevated plus-maze, enhanced exploratory activity in the open field, reduced preference for alcohol odor when another rewarding stimulus was present (social stimulus) and lower latency to start self-cleaning behaviors in the sucrose splash test. In contrast, other measurements such as habituation learning and working memory were not improved by exercise. Besides, exercise was not able to reduce alcohol consumption across the weeks. In conclusion, physical activity during adolescence and early adulthood could buffer certain neurobehavioral alterations associated with binge-drinking, despite not reducing the quantity of consumed alcohol. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Longitudinal Assessment of Alcohol Exposure on Brain and Behavior)
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