Sex differences in ethanol-related behaviors in genetically defined murine stocks

Over the past 30 years, there have been a number of important developments in our understanding of the etiology and consequences of excessive drinking among humans. Probably one of the most important findings to date is that there are large individual differences among humans in appetite for alcohol and age of onset of problem drinking. We recognize this finding in at least two different alcoholic types, each with its own estimate of genetic influence. We have also come to realize that there are important differences between men and women, both in etiology of problem drinking and in the consequences of chronic alcohol use. In this chapter, the advantages and limitations of applying genetically defined animal models, primarily, selected lines and inbred strains of mice, are evaluated with examples from the literature.