[The "phenomenon of ethanol preference"]

Abstract

The problem of using the "phenomenon of ethanol preference" under conditions of a free choice between ethanol and water as a behavioural model of alcoholism is discussed. The methodical aspects of the model are considered: the regimen of the animals' keeping, the criteria of preference, the concentrations of ethanol solutions, the schedule of presentation of the solutions. There was shown the principal similarity between the changes in the behaviour and biological parameters of the animals preferring ethanol and the changes observed in the man suffering from chronic alcoholism. It is concluded that despite the imperfection of the model the "phenomenon of ethanol preference" remains fairly valuable for studying the etiopathogenesis of alcoholism and developing the methods of the therapeutic action on the patient.