Núñez MJ, Riveiro P, Becerra MA, De Miguel S, Quintans MR, Núñez LA, Legazpi MP, Mayán JM, Rey-Méndez M, Varela M, Freire-Garabal M. Effects of alprazolam on the free-choice ethanol consumption induced by isolation stress in aged rats.
Life Sci 1999;
64:PL213-7. [PMID:
10350361 DOI:
10.1016/s0024-3205(99)00130-7]
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Abstract
Late-onset drinking is a common problem in elderly people related to stress induced by social isolation. Experiments were performed in order to evaluate the effects of alprazolam, a benzodiazepine agonist anxiolytic, on the free-choice ethanol consumption in aged rats subjected to isolation stress. The animals we offered a two-bottle choice consumption (one of 0.2% saccharin and the other with 10% ethanol/0.2% saccharin) and then exposed to 4 days of isolation stress on an irregular, unpredictable schedule. Stress resulted in significant increase in ethanol consumption. Treatment with alprazolam (1 mg/Kg) partially reversed this adverse effect of stress.
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