Rapid development of tolerance to the sleep promoting effects of alcohol : a mouse model

Alcohol promotes sleep and is widely used as a sleep aid. Tolerance to the sleep promoting effects of alcohol develops over time with its repeated use, which plays an important role in the gradual escalation of alcohol consumption, resulting in alcohol dependence. To understand the mechanism underlying alcohol tolerance and dependence, it is required to have an appropriate model mimicking human conditions of alcohol administration and development of tolerance to the sedative effects of alcohol. We propose an animal model which closely mimics human conditions of alcohol self-administration with a clear demonstration of rapid tolerance to the sedative effects of alcohol