Temporal changes in avoidance learning in physically alcohol-dependent rats following withdrawal.
The effects of post withdrawal periods over a range of 0 to 48 hours on avoidance learning in physically alcohol-dependent rats were examined in a shuttle-box situation. Liquid diet containing 5% ethyl alcohol was withdrawn after 15 days. The severity of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome in rats changed with time elapsed after withdrawal. Severe withdrawal syndrome such as increase in failure to escape from shock due to convulsion, increase in intertrial responses due to hyperactivity, and death appeared when the test was started 4.5 hours after withdrawal. On the other hand, avoidance learning was reduced almost zero within 24 hours, but it recovered to a normal level 48 hours after withdrawal of alcohol.
D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors
D000431:Ethanol