title: Effects of ethanol administration on corticosterone levels in adolescent and adult rats.
abstract: Adolescent humans and rodents have been shown to consume more alcohol than their adult counterparts. Given that corticosterone (CORT) has been shown to be related to the intake of several drugs of abuse, this study assessed the ontogenetic effects of low-moderate doses of ethanol on CORT increases and recovery. Despite no significant differences in baseline (home cage) CORT levels, CORT responses to ethanol were greater in females than in males and in adult females than in adolescent females; males, however, showed less marked age differences in CORT levels after ethanol consumption. Adolescent blood ethanol concentrations (BECs) were lower than those of adults, although these BEC differences appear insufficient to account for the ontogenetic differences in CORT levels. Collectively, these findings suggest that it is unlikely that age differences in CORT elevations provide a major contribution to the ontogenetic differences in alcohol intake seen between adolescents and adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Center for Development and Behavioral Neuroscience, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, USA. awilley1@binghamton.edu
authors.forename: Amanda Rachel
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Willey
authors.forename: Rachel Ivy
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morales
authors.forename: Ruby Liane
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Ramirez
authors.forename: Linda Patia
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Spear
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000431:Ethanol; D003345:Corticosterone