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Monday, September 24, 2007

Long-lasting tolerance to alcohol following a history of dependence
Addiction Biology (OnlineEarly Articles). 11 September 2007


Tolerance to alcohol effects is one of the defining features of clinical alcohol dependence. Here, we hypothesized that the post-dependent state may include tolerance to sedative-hypnotic alcohol actions. To address this question, we used a recently developed animal model in which repeated cycles of alcohol intoxication and withdrawal trigger long-lasting behavioral plasticity.

In conclusion, a history of alcohol dependence induces long-lasting hypnotic tolerance. This process may play an important role in maintaining the dependent state.

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Reprint Rquest E-Mail: roberto.rimondini@unibo.it

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