Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder
Published on: June 23, 2023
Flunitrazepam in combination with alcohol engenders high levels of aggression in mice and rats
R M M de Almeida1, D M Saft, M M Rosa
1Departamento de Psicologia do Desenvolvimento e da Personalidade da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Laboratório de Psicologia Experimental, Neurociências e Comportamento. Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. rmalmeida@unisinos.br
Rationale:
Higher doses of benzodiazepines and alcohol induce sedation and sleep; however, in low to moderate doses these drugs can increase aggressive behavior.
Objectives:
To assess firstly the effects of ethanol, secondly the effects of flunitrazepam, a so-called club drug, and thirdly the effects of flunitrazepam plus alcohol on aggression in mice and rats.
Methods:
Exhaustive behavioral records of confrontations between a male resident and a male intruder were obtained twice a week, using CF-1 mice and Wistar rats. The salient aggressive and non-aggressive elements in the resident's repertoire were analyzed. Initially, the effects of ethanol (1.0g/kg), and secondly flunitrazepam (0; 0.01; 0.1; and 0.3mg/kg) were determined in all mice and rats; subsequently, flunitrazepam or vehicle, given intraperitoneally (0; 0.01; 0.1; and 0.3mg/kg) was administered plus ethanol 1.0g/kg or vehicle via gavage.
Results:
The most significant finding is the escalation of aggression after a moderate dose of ethanol, and a low dose of flunitrazepam. The largest increase in aggressive behavior occurred after combined flunitrazepam plus ethanol treatment in mice and rats.
Conclusions:
Ethanol can heighten aggressive behavior and flunitrazepam further increases this effect in male mice and rats.
