Simple method for producing an alcohol withdrawal syndrome in rats.

Rats received intragastric intubations of ethanol at 8 hr intervals for 1, 7, 15 or 30 days. The dosage for each animal was one which produced observable signs of intoxication 1 hr after the intubation. All of the rats in the experimental groups developed a tolerance to ethanol as indicated by the increasing dose required to induce intoxication, but the degree of tolerance was related to the duration of the ethanol administration. During the withdrawal period the incidence of hyperreactivity, convulsive symptoms, and the susceptibility to audiogenic seizures was determined for all 4 groups. Although every experimental animal displayed withdrawal symptoms, the incidence of these symptoms was found to be an increasing, negatively accelerated function of the duration of ethanol exposure. For situations where voluntary consumption of alcohol is not necessary this method is a simple, controlled, reliable, way of inducing ethanol tolerance and physical dependence in rats.