Additive physical dependence: evidence for a common mechanism in alcohol dependence.
In previous studies we demonstrated that mice could be made physically dependent with 3 or 6 days inhalation of t-butanol or ethanol vapor. In the present experiments the mice were treated with 3 days of t-butanol followed immediately by 3 days of ethanol at equipotent concentrations, for a total of 6 days continuous exposure. Other mice were given these alcohols in the reverse order. Withdrawal reactions, quantitated by scoring convulsions elicited by handling, were equivalent to those resulting from 6 days exposure to either alcohol alone. One alcohol not only substituted for the other in the maintenance of dependence, but also augmented the abstinence syndrome produced by the first 3 days exposure. An additive effect of ethanol and t-butanol in producing a withdrawal reaction is consistent with the hypothesis of a single underlying mechanism for producing physical dependence on alcohols. This experimental model may be useful for studying cross-dependence.
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000818:Animals; D000440:Butanols / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D004347:Drug Interactions; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*
D000440:Butanols; D000431:Ethanol