Stereotypic wall climbing in mice during ethanol withdrawal: a new measure of physical dependence

A new potentially useful measure for assessing physical dependence in mice chronically exposed to ethanol is described. C3H/He mice continuously exposed to ethanol vapor for four (Experiment 1) or three (Experiment 2) days spent more time engaged in stereotypic climbing behavior than controls. This stereotypic climbing behavior correlated well, both temporally as well as in intensity, with other previously described signs of ethanol withdrawal. All measures of withdrawal behavior (including climbing) peaked at eight hours after withdrawal and returned to control levels by 30-33 hours. The utility of this behavioral assay for assessing physical dependence on ethanol is further discussed with reference to possible underlying neurochemical events.