Fig. 1.

Binge-like ethanol intake in male C57BL/6J mice allowed access to a 20% solution for 2 h, 3 h into the dark cycle (n=23–25). A. Average ethanol intakes and corresponding blood ethanol concentrations. Mean ethanol intake was 5.9±0.3 g/kg, whereas the corresponding mean BEC was 65±7.1 mg/dL. B. Ethanol intake positively predicted blood ethanol concentration (p<0.0001). C. C57BL/6J mice displayed impaired motor performance on a balance beam task after being allowed access to a 20% ethanol solution for 2 h, 3 h into the dark cycle (n=25 per group). One group of mice was allowed a 2 hour access to tap water while the other was allowed a 2 h access to the ethanol solution. Mice allowed access to the ethanol drank an average of 5.0±0.3 g/kg, achieving average blood ethanol concentrations of 81.3±9.4 mg/dL. This level of intake produced a significant increase in the number of hind foot slips on a balance beam apparatus (p<0.01).