Sex differences in acoustic startle responses and seizure thresholds between ethanol-withdrawn male and female rats.

Aims: We have found consistent and significant sex differences in recovery from the increased seizure susceptibility observed during ethanol withdrawal (EW) in our rat model system. The main objective of the present study was to determine if sex differences in EW generalized to an additional behavioral measure startle reactivity.

Methods: Acoustic startle or seizure threshold responses were measured in separate groups of rats at 1 day or 3 days of EW.

Influence of hormonal status on behavioral responses to an acute ethanol challenge during ethanol withdrawal in male and female rats.

We previously reported significant sex differences in ethanol withdrawal (EW) recovery as well as in sensitivity to GABA(A) receptor modulators during EW. The aim of the present study was to determine if hormonal status moderated behavioral responses to an acute ethanol challenge in EW animals comparing two different behaviors. An initial set of experiments explored motor-incoordinating effects of the acute ethanol injection during EW at either 1 day or 3 days of withdrawal.