Establishing Alcohol Drinking Solution for Mice

Alcohol for mouse drinking solution (20% v/v) was prepared using 95% ethyl alcohol (Pharmco Products Inc., Brookfield, CT) in tap water. DNQX, AP-5, CGP55845A, CRF peptide, and Astressin-2B were purchased from Tocris Bioscience (Ellisville, MO). SR-95531 (gabazine, GBZ; 100 μM) was purchased from Sigma-Aldrich. The CRF1 antagonist R121919 was supplied by Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (San Diego, CA). Stock solutions were prepared in ultra-pure water or DMSO (DNQX only), stored at 20°C, and diluted to final experimental concentration in aCSF on the day of testing. Doses for electrophysiology experiments were chosen based on their ex vivo effects in CeA neurons from prior reports (10 (link), 25 ). CP-154,526 was purchased from Tocris Bioscience and was selected for use in behavioral pharmacology experiments due to a robust literature describing its effects on alcohol drinking in mice (32 (link)–34 (link)).