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Updated: Aug 13, 2026
07:28
An Inexpensive, Scalable Behavioral Assay for Measuring Ethanol Sedation Sensitivity and Rapid Tolerance in Drosophila
Published on: April 15, 2015
Peptide--neurotransmitter interactions influencing ethanol tolerance
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|May 1, 1979
Summary
Chronic ethanol exposure causes functional tolerance. Arginine vasopressin, a hormone, prolongs this ethanol tolerance in mice, unlike oxytocin. This suggests vasopressin
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Chronic ethanol (alcohol) exposure induces functional tolerance to its hypothermic and sedative effects in mice.
- Neurohypophyseal hormones, such as arginine vasopressin and oxytocin, play roles in physiological regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of arginine vasopressin (AVP) on the duration of functional tolerance to ethanol.
- To compare the efficacy of AVP and oxytocin in maintaining ethanol tolerance.
Main Methods:
- Mice were chronically exposed to ethanol to induce tolerance.
- Animals received either arginine vasopressin, oxytocin, or saline.
- The duration of functional tolerance to ethanol's effects was measured.
Main Results:
- Arginine vasopressin significantly prolonged the duration of functional ethanol tolerance.
- Oxytocin, at an equimolar dose, did not affect the duration of ethanol tolerance.
- Ethanol tolerance was maintained longer in AVP-treated mice compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Arginine vasopressin plays a role in prolonging functional tolerance to ethanol.
- The central effects of arginine vasopressin on memory may be linked to its role in ethanol tolerance.
- Oxytocin does not appear to influence ethanol tolerance duration.
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