Effects of alcohol and caffeine on wheel running activity in the Mongolian gerbil

This study investigated the effects of various doses of alcohol (0.8, 1.6, 2.4 g/kg) and caffeine (5, 10, 15, 20 mg/kg) on wheel running activity in 180 male and female adult Mongolian gerbils. Animals were tested for two 10-min trials 48 hours apart. Thirty min prior to Trial 2, injections were administered intraperitoneally. The results indicate that low doses of both alcohol and caffeine increase and higher doses of alcohol decrease wheel running activity in gerbils of both sexes. These results agree with other findings on activity in other animals, and serve as a baseline for future drug research in the gerbil.