The effect of ethanol and sex on radial arm maze performance in rats

A daily dose of 1.5 g/kg of ethanol interfered with radial arm maze performance in rats. Ethanol inhibited the acquisition of a new win-shift response to obtain a food reward, especially when a previously learned response was present. This effect was greater in females than in males. Ethanol appears to suppress flexibility in the development of optimal performance of goal-directed behavior.