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Ealy adolescent alcohol intoxication leads to long-term, sex-specific behavioral effects. It increased risk-taking in males and alcohol intake in adult females without altering baseline anxiety. Acute ethanol further reduced behavioral complexity and produced anxiolytic effects.

Caffeine–alcohol co-consumption is linked to increased intake and risk-taking, but its effects under voluntary drinking are unclear. In Swiss male mice, caffeine did not alter ethanol intake, as both ethanol and ethanol+caffeine solutions were avoided. These findings highlight strong strain-dependent differences in alcohol–caffeine interactions.

Open-source lickometers using plastic Hydropac® valves reduced alcohol intake and preference in mice compared to traditional metal sippers. This effect was specific to alcohol and likely due to interactions between ethanol and the plastic generating aversive contaminants.

Food availability modulates drinking in a strain- and liquid-specific manner. It increased ethanol intake in C57BL/6 mice and water intake in Swiss mice, without altering bout structure but affecting licking patterns over time. These findings provide normative data and highlight strain-specific interactions between food and fluid consumption.

Stereotaxic techniques revolutionized neuroscience by enabling precise 3D brain targeting, but determining Bregma remains inconsistent across laboratories. Current atlases, including Paxinos and Franklin, lack clear guidance, leading to measurement discrepancies. This review highlights these limitations and proposes more reliable methods to improve stereotaxic accuracy.

Alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED) is linked to increased binge drinking, but its neurobiological effects in animal models remain underexplored. Existing studies show that AmED can alter ethanol motivation, reduce aversiveness, enhance sensitization, and induce physiological effects like inflammation and oxidative stress, though findings are inconsistent. Overall, its effects depend on factors such as sex, age, strain, and treatment conditions, highlighting the need for further research.

Presynaptic modulation of iSPN→GPe projections is governed by distinct GPCR mechanisms. P/Q-type Ca²⁺ channels primarily control presynaptic calcium influx and GABA release, with additional contributions from N- and L-type channels. GABAB_BB​ receptors inhibit transmission via a VGCC-dependent pathway, while CB1 receptors suppress GABA release through a VGCC-independent mechanism.

Chronic THC exposure induces withdrawal-related changes in dopamine signaling, sleep, and behavior during abstinence. In mice, withdrawal led to altered striatal DA release, sleep disturbances, and affective impairments resembling human symptoms. These effects were more consistent in males, supporting a translational model of spontaneous cannabis withdrawal.

Drinking microstructure provides richer insights than traditional volume measures but requires specialized devices. This study presents a low-cost, wireless lickometer capable of accurate, high-resolution data collection across multiple cages. Validation showed strong precision and correlation with consumption, offering an accessible tool for behavioral neuroscience research.

Isoflavone levels in standard lab diets vary widely and can significantly influence alcohol intake. While low doses reduce drinking in rats, higher dietary isoflavones are associated with increased intake in mice. These effects depend on dose and exposure, highlighting diet as a critical variable in alcohol research.