Psychology ETDs

Publication Date

Spring 4-8-2024

Abstract

Within the open field, rodents spontaneously explore their surroundings by alternating between stops (absence of movement) and progressions (locomotion between locations). Few studies have examined how alcohol influences the organization of these spatial behaviors; therefore, we evaluated the effects of acute single-dose and binge-like alcohol exposure on spontaneous open-field behaviors. In Experiment 1, adults received a single injection of ethanol and explored a dark environment for 30 minutes. We found that mice assessed immediately after the injection exhibited reductions in locomotion and spontaneous behavior, while those tested 30 minutes later only exhibited suppressed locomotion. In Experiment 2, adolescent/adult mice received multiple binge-like doses of ethanol before exploration. We discovered that adolescent mice were impaired in progression-related behaviors but not stops and that adults exhibited suppressed locomotion but increased spontaneous movement organization. Together, these results suggest that alcohol exposure in adolescence and adulthood leads to alterations in spontaneous exploratory behaviors.

Degree Name

Psychology

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Psychology

First Committee Member (Chair)

Benjamin Clark

Second Committee Member

Jeremy Hogeveen

Third Committee Member

Douglas Wallace

Fourth Committee Member

Stephanie Grella

Language

English

Keywords

open field, ethanol, locomotion, self-motion cues

Document Type

Dissertation

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Psychology Commons

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