Figure 2.
Following a history of ethanol dependence induced by exposure to ethanol vapor, long-lasting neuroadaptations lead to the induction of excessive levels of voluntary alcohol consumption. (a) Post-dependent neuroadaptations can be induced by intermittently exposing animals to intoxicating alcohol levels over 7 weeks, and then allowing them to recover for 3 weeks to eliminate acute withdrawal. (b) A behavioral hallmark of the post-dependent phenotype is a marked and persistent upregulation of voluntary ethanol intake compared with animals that have been exposed to air only. Data taken from Ref. [22].