The Effects of Traumatic Stress on Reactivity to Acoustic Stimuli in Rats with a History of Alcohol Consumption
Publication Date
July 2019
Location
LSU Health Medical Education Building
Document Type
Abstract
Start Date
26-7-2019 9:00 AM
End Date
26-7-2019 12:00 PM
Description
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is marked by symptoms of avoidance, re-experiencing, and hyperarousal that develop subsequent to one or more traumatic events. PTSD affects men and women differently. Not only are women twice as likely as men to develop PTSD, they experience different symptoms and comorbidities associated with PTSD. Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is commonly comorbid with PTSD. It has been estimated that approximately a third of people with PTSD also meet the criteria for AUD. PTSD-AUD comorbidity is also associated with a decreased response to treatment, as well as a poorer prognosis when compared to individuals with only one of either of the disorders. In our laboratory, we use the conditioned place aversion (CPA) model of PTSD, which involves exposure to bobcat urine. Male and female rats were initially exposed to alcohol consumption over a period of five weeks using an intermittent two-bottle choice model. During this period, alcohol was given on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for a period of 24 hours, and measured along with water consumption. Rats were then subjected to the CPA protocol and classified as Avoiders or Non-Avoiders based on their stress reactivity as measured by avoidance of the predator odor-paired context. Two days post-stress, rats were tested for responsivity to acoustic stimuli through the use of the acoustic startle response (ASR). With our research project, our lab’s aim is to evaluate if a history of alcohol-drinking affects ASR in male and female rats exposed to traumatic stress. By increasing our understanding of comorbid PTSD-AUD and its effects on individuals, this information can then potentially be useful to improve the treatment options available to those individuals. Acknowledgements: Funded by the Entergy Workforce Training Grant.
Recommended Citation
Eugene, Tivon M., "The Effects of Traumatic Stress on Reactivity to Acoustic Stimuli in Rats with a History of Alcohol Consumption" (2019). Summer Research Internship Program. 9.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/srip/2019/undergrad/9
The Effects of Traumatic Stress on Reactivity to Acoustic Stimuli in Rats with a History of Alcohol Consumption
LSU Health Medical Education Building
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is marked by symptoms of avoidance, re-experiencing, and hyperarousal that develop subsequent to one or more traumatic events. PTSD affects men and women differently. Not only are women twice as likely as men to develop PTSD, they experience different symptoms and comorbidities associated with PTSD. Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is commonly comorbid with PTSD. It has been estimated that approximately a third of people with PTSD also meet the criteria for AUD. PTSD-AUD comorbidity is also associated with a decreased response to treatment, as well as a poorer prognosis when compared to individuals with only one of either of the disorders. In our laboratory, we use the conditioned place aversion (CPA) model of PTSD, which involves exposure to bobcat urine. Male and female rats were initially exposed to alcohol consumption over a period of five weeks using an intermittent two-bottle choice model. During this period, alcohol was given on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for a period of 24 hours, and measured along with water consumption. Rats were then subjected to the CPA protocol and classified as Avoiders or Non-Avoiders based on their stress reactivity as measured by avoidance of the predator odor-paired context. Two days post-stress, rats were tested for responsivity to acoustic stimuli through the use of the acoustic startle response (ASR). With our research project, our lab’s aim is to evaluate if a history of alcohol-drinking affects ASR in male and female rats exposed to traumatic stress. By increasing our understanding of comorbid PTSD-AUD and its effects on individuals, this information can then potentially be useful to improve the treatment options available to those individuals. Acknowledgements: Funded by the Entergy Workforce Training Grant.
Comments
Mentors: Lucas Albrechet-Souza, Ph.D & Nicholas W. Gilpin, Ph.D, Department of Physiology