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Swiss Webster mice as a model for excessive alcohol binge drinking consumption
Amine Cherif1, Amine Bourzam2, El Hafedh El Mouhab1
1LR18ES03 Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Cellular Physiopathology and Valorisation of Biomolecules, Faculty of Science of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.
Methods in Cell Biology
|September 10, 2025
Summary
This study validates a mouse model for binge drinking (BD) in adolescents and young adults. Findings show age-dependent neurotoxic effects of BD, offering insights into brain development and potential therapies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Binge drinking (BD) is prevalent in adolescents and young adults, negatively impacting brain development.
- Animal models are crucial for understanding BD's neurobiology, but require validation for human relevance.
- Swiss Webster mice were used to develop and validate a murine model for BD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate a murine model of binge drinking (BD) in Swiss Webster mice.
- To assess the impact of single binge (SB) and multiple binge (MB) protocols on blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) and neurotoxicity.
- To investigate age-dependent differences in neurotoxic effects of BD.
Main Methods:
- Adolescent and adult Swiss Webster mice were subjected to SB or MB ethanol injections via intraperitoneal administration.
- Blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) were measured to assess ethanol exposure levels.
- Neurotoxic effects were evaluated by measuring brain cell survival rates.
Main Results:
- The SB protocol achieved high BACs (150-400 mg/dL) sustained for hours, irrespective of age or episode repetition.
- Adolescent mice showed a 25% decrease in brain cell survival after a single BD episode.
- Adult mice required multiple BD episodes to exhibit a 17% decrease in brain cell survival.
Conclusions:
- The validated murine model effectively replicates key aspects of human binge drinking (BD) behavior and neurotoxicity.
- The model demonstrates age-specific neurotoxic effects of BD, highlighting vulnerability in adolescents.
- This model offers a valuable tool for studying individual variability and identifying therapeutic targets for adolescent BD.
