Task-dependent genetic influences on behavioral response of mice (Mus musculus) to acetaldehyde

Acetaldehyde was employed as a pharmacological agent in behavioral tests designed to assess genetic influences upon response to the drug. When used as a poison in a conditioned taste aversion study, acetaldehyde was more effective at inducing aversions in DBA/2J mice than in C57BL/6J mice. In another experiment, however, C57 mice were more affected than were DBA mice by acetaldehyde effects on loss of righting reflex. Implications for postulated genetic control of ethanol preference and neurosensitivity are discussed.