Investigation of age-specific behavioral and proteomic changes in an animal model of chronic ethanol exposure.
Alcohol use during adolescence represents a major health concern given that this is a period in which the brain continues to undergo critical developmental changes. Much behavioral research has been conducted in animal models of alcohol exposure, and a vulnerable period in adolescence has been identified that suggests lasting effects of ethanol exposure during adolescence. However, identification of molecular changes underlying the behavioral outcomes observed as a result from exposure to ethanol during adolescence remains a major technical challenge. In this chapter, we describe a method that allows for assessment of the effects of chronic ethanol exposure during adolescence relative to adulthood through global-scale analysis of protein expression as well as evaluation of behavioral responsivity in adolescent and adult rats. Results from this type of analysis can facilitate identification of age-specific molecular markers associated with behavioral changes following treatment with ethanol or in other animal models of drug abuse.
Cognitive and Neurosciences, Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
Antoniette M
AM
Maldonado-Devincci
Stanley M
SM
Stevens
Cheryl L
CL
Kirstein
D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000494:pharmacology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D008297:Male; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D023421:Models, Animal; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D015415:Biomarkers; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000431:Ethanol