Neurochemical correlates of alcohol preference in inbred strains of mice

C57B1/6J, a specific inbred strain of mice with high alcohol preference and DBA/2J, a specific inbred strain with poor preference for alcohol were studied. Brain content of acetylcholine, uptake of 14C-Choline by whole brain homogenate were significantly higher in the C57B1/6J mice whereas brain acetylcholinesterase was higher in the DBA/2J mice. No significant difference was found for the level of brain serotonin, uptake of 3H-norepinephrine or 3H-dopamine. Treatment with a specific inhibitor of choline transferase, 4-(1-napthylvinyl) pyridine salt (10 mg/kg, twice daily) shifted the selection of alcohol to water in the C57B1/6J mice. These findings suggest a direct involvement of central cholinergic mechanism in alcohol preference.