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Running increases ethanol preference.

Martin Werme¹, Sara Lindholm, Peter Thorén

¹Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, S-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.

Behavioural Brain Research

|July 12, 2002

Summary

Wheel running in rats, a behavior similar to addictive drugs, increased their preference for ethanol. This effect was observed after short periods of withdrawal, suggesting a link between running and alcohol consumption.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Behavioral Science
Addiction Research

Background:

Wheel running in rats is known for its reinforcing and rewarding properties.
Some rat strains, like Lewis rats, exhibit both high susceptibility to addiction and excessive wheel running behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effect of wheel running on ethanol preference in rats.
To determine if voluntary exercise can influence alcohol consumption and preference.

Main Methods:

Lewis rats were given a choice between ethanol and water in a two-bottle free-choice paradigm.
Rats underwent ethanol withdrawal periods of 1, 2, or 4 weeks, with or without access to running wheels.
Ethanol intake and preference were measured before and after the withdrawal/running period.

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Main Results:

Rats that ran on wheels during 1 or 2 weeks of ethanol withdrawal showed increased ethanol intake and preference compared to controls.
Running for 4 weeks of withdrawal did not produce the same increase in ethanol preference.
Voluntary wheel running potentiated ethanol consumption, similar to how low doses of morphine affect preference.

Conclusions:

Wheel running, sharing reinforcing properties with addictive substances, can potentiate ethanol intake and preference in rats.
Behavioral interactions, such as voluntary exercise, can significantly influence the consumption of addictive substances like ethanol.