Arousal as an explanation for differences in rats selectively bred for differential alcohol sensitivity.
A common error made by behavior genetics researchers is breeding two lines for differences in central arousal rather than for a specific behavioral feature. Two lines of rats (Riley, Freed, & Lester, 1976) were selectively bred for locomotor impairment in response to a subhypnotic dose (1.5 g/kg) of ethanol. These lines (designated "most affected" and "least affected") were compared in a variety of tests and showed differences in a number of phenotypic traits in addition to locomotor impairment to ethanol. The published findings have been interpreted in light of a hypothesis suggesting adventitiously selected differences in central arousal between the two lines. This interpretation showed that their usefulness as animal models of alcoholism is seriously compromised.
Guile
M N
MN
Department of Psychology, Northeastern State University.
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D001947:Breeding; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains / Q000502:physiology*; D012107:Research Design
D000431:Ethanol