Ethanol drinking by rhesus monkeys with concurrent access to water

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Neuroscience
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Ethanol (alcohol) is a widely consumed substance with significant public health implications.
• Understanding the factors that control ethanol intake is crucial for developing effective interventions for alcohol use disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a concurrent water-ethanol access preparation for rhesus monkeys.
• To investigate ethanol consumption patterns and preferences in rhesus monkeys under varying concentrations and access durations.

Main Methods:

• Rhesus monkeys with prior ethanol reinforcement history were given concurrent access to water and ethanol (8%, 16%, or 32% w/v) in 3-hour sessions.
• Ethanol intake, water intake, and blood ethanol levels were monitored.
• A subset of monkeys experienced 23-hour access to 8% ethanol and water.

Main Results:

• Monkeys consistently preferred ethanol over water, regardless of concentration.
• Ethanol consumption (g/kg body weight) remained stable, while volume consumed decreased with higher concentrations.
• Water intake was minimal, except for 'chaser' behavior observed in some monkeys after ethanol consumption.

Conclusions:

• The concurrent water-ethanol preparation effectively establishes ethanol as a reinforcer in rhesus monkeys.
• This model provides a valuable tool for studying the determinants of alcohol consumption and evaluating potential therapeutic strategies.