Alcohol

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Effect of Acetaldehyde on Acute Tolerance and Ethanol Consumption in Drinker and Nondrinker Rats    Lutske Tampier, Pharm.D., and Maria Elena Quintanilla, M.Sc.

Objective: Acetaldehyde (AcH) has been shown to have aversive or reinforcing actions in relation to ethanol consumption. We have previously observed that a pharmacological dose of AcH (50-150 mg/kg) administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) produced a dose-dependent flavor aversion in low-ethanol drinker (UChA) rats, whereas high-ethanol drinker (UChB) rats appeared to be insensitive to AcH. Both strains of rats differ innately in their brain aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity and in their capacity to develop acute tolerance to ethanol. The present study evaluates the effects of AcH, in UChA and UChB rats, on rats' behavior, their volunatry ethanol consumption and the development of acute functional tolerance to motor impairment induced by a dose of ethanol. Method: Subjects were rats selectively bred for high (UChB; n = 48) and low (UChA; n = 40) voluntary ethanol consumption. Rats were treated with either saline or doses of AcH (50 or 100 mg/kg, i.p.), and examined for effects on motor activity, on voluntary alcohol consumption with free access on motor activity, on voluntary alcohol consumption with free access to a 10% alcohol solution and on acute tolerance to motor impairment induced by an ethanol dose (2.3 g/kg, i.p.), using the tilting plane test. Results: AcH, 50 or 100 mg/kg, caused a dose-dependent loss of the righting reflex in UChA rats, whereas in UChA rats with the same dose, a slight excitement was observed. There was significant increase of voluntary ethanol consumption in UChB rats (p < .001) 17 hours after the AcH injection, compared with saline-treated and control rats; in UChA rats, no change in voluntary ethanol consumption was produced. AcH produced a faster acute tolerance-to-ethanol development in UChB rats (p < .001) as compared with saline-treated and control rats, and no change in acute tolerance in UChA rats. Acetaldehyde injection did not change total mitochondrial ALDH2 activity. Conclusions: These results show that, 17 hours later, treatment of rats with pharmacological doses of acetaldehyde alters the voluntary ethanol consumption and acute tolerance development in UChB but not UChA rats. One of the factors involved may be a different sensitivity to AcH in these rat strains. (J. Stud. Alcohol 63: 257-262, 2002)

Alcohol Abuse and Dependence among U.S. College Students    John R. Knight, M.D., Henry Wechsler, Ph.D., Meichun Kuo, Sc.D., Mark Seibring, B.S., Elissa R. Weitzman, Sc.D., and Marc A. Schuckit, M.D.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of alcohol abuse and dependence among U.S. college students, and to identify characteristics associated with these diagnoses. Method: More than 14,000 students at 119 4-year U.S. colleges completed a questionnaire that included items corresponding to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse and dependence. Frequencies were computed, and correlations used to identify demographic, drinking and other variables associated with these diagnoses. Results: 31% of students endorsed criteria for an alcohol abuse diagnosis and 6% for a dependence diagnosis in the past 12 months. More than two of every five students reported at least one symptom of abuse or dependence. Students who were heavy episodic drinkers were more likely than those who were not to have an alcohol disorder. Students who were frequent heavy episodic drinkers had 13 times greater odds for abuse and 19 times greater odds for dependence. One of every five heavy episodic drinkers was classified with dependence. Few reported seeking treatment since coming to college. Students from heavy drinking college environments were more likely to have abuse and dependence diagnosis. Conclusions: Many college students report behaviors and symptoms that meet the diagnostic standard for alcohol abuse or dependence. In addition to strengthening prevention programs, colleges should implement new strategies for screening and early identification of high risk student drinkers and ensure that treatment is readily available for those with alcohol disorders. (J. Stud. Alcohol 63: 263-270, 2002)

The Impact of Current Residence and High School Drinking on Alcohol Problems among College Students    Thomas C. Harford, Ph.D., Henry Wechsler, Ph.D., and Bengt O. Muthen, Ph.D.

Objective:This study examines relationships between type of (current) residence, heavy episodic drinking in high school and alcohol-related problems among college students. Method: The study participants were respondents in the 1993, 1997 and 1999 Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study (CAS) surveys of students attending 119 4-year U.S. colleges. Based on responses from 6,525 (55.6% female) students in the 1993 CAS, an exploratory factor analysis of the alcohol problem items was specified in a confirmatory factor analysis framework based on a four-factor solution, and related to study variables. The 1993 data were cross-validated with the 1997 and 1999 surveys. Results: When compared with students living in single-gender dormitories, students living off campus with parents reported lower alcohol-related problem consequences and a higher probability of drinking/driving. Students residing off campus without parents, compared with students in single-gender dorms, reported a higher probability of drinking/driving. Associations between off-campus residence and probabilities for drinking/driving were mediated by frequency of driving. Students living in coed dormitories, when compared with students in single-gender dorms, incurred more problem consequences related to drinking but reported significantly lower probabilities associated with designated driving and drinking/driving. Heavy episodic drinking in high school was related to higher probabilities of problems on all outcome measures. Conclusions: The presence of direct and independent effects for both heavy drinking prior to college and high-risk environmental factors in collegiate drinking practices support targeted and diverse strategies for prevention activities. (J. Stud. Alcohol 63: 271-279, 2002)