The research conducted in this study focuses on the four core genotypes (FCG) mouse line and their binge drinking habits of ethanol. The FCG mouse line is a transgenic mouse line that translocates the sex-determining region y, “sry,” to an autosome (presence of the sry gene causes testes to develop). This results in four different combinations of chromosomes and hormonal influences, XX/sry-, XX/sry+, XY/sry-, XY/sry+. FCG mice are exposed to a 20% ethanol solution and water using intermittent access, and later euthanized to collect brains for analysis of gene expression. Researchers weigh the bottles before placing them on the cage for 24 hours in an intermittent access (IA) paradigm. Bottles are weighed after 24 hours have elapsed and the difference between these weights shows mouse consumption. This occurs on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and weekends, mice are only given water in their cages. The research then investigates if different hormonal and gonadal pairings may cause different drinking behavior. By calculating the amount of Ethanol drank as well This helps researchers understand the factors of sex at birth to alcohol use disorders (AUD) and gives us the ability to create target therapies to support individuals with binge drinking disorders. It also helps researchers to understand how drinking affects the brain differently based on sex. This changes the field of neuroscience by impacting both our prevention and treatment of substance abuse disorders in different sexes.
Author(s): Desiray Glasmann, Roman Zegarelli, Anna K. Radke, Zach O’Neill
Advisor(s): Anna K. Radke, Psychology Department
Roman Zegarelli, Psychology Department
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