Figure 1.

nAChRs modulate physical signs of ethanol withdrawal. (a, b) Control- and ethanol (ETOH)-treated mice were tested for changes in physical signs during spontaneous (a) or mecamylamine-precipitated withdrawal (MEC, b). Only ethanol-treated mice displayed significant increases in physical signs. (c, d) Mice were treated with either ethanol injections or nicotine (NIC) in their drinking water. Physical signs were measured following various doses of the nicotinic receptor antagonist, mecamylamine (c) or during spontaneous withdrawal (d). Although ethanol-treated mice were more sensitive to the effects of mecamylamine (c), during spontaneous withdrawal they exhibited symptoms similar to those observed in nicotine-withdrawing mice (d). Animal numbers are as follows: (a) 8 per experimental group; (b) 5 Control, 7 ETOH; (c, d) 6 per experimental group. **P>0.01 compared with control and Mec (0) group, ^#p>0.01 compared with NIC at same dose.