Animal models for alcohol research.

Many animal models have been used for alcoholism research. No single model is suitable for all types of research about alcohol, its actions and abuse. This article surveys the varieties of models that have been used and categorizes them into classes called "chronic", "reinforcement" and "genetic" models and discusses the strengths, weaknesses and applications of each group. The diversity and scope of alcoholism offers unique challenges to the conduct of laboratory research with experimental animals. Animal models (AM) of the disease would have to encompass a broad range of variables No single model can incorporate all aspects of the disorder nor fulfill the needs of all research projects. Consequently, many different AM have been proposed. This review classifies those models, describes their underlying premises, experimental applications and their relative strengths and limitations. The scientific literature contains numerous examples of essentially sound experiments that lack credibility because of weaknesses in design aspects associated with the selection or use of AM. The alcoholism literature cannot be excluded from that statement. There are many examples of the inappropriate use of AM in alcoholism research and of poorly conceived attempts to use models developed for specific experimental applications in experiments requiring an entirely different approach. Furthermore, a persistent problem that is unique to alcoholism research relates to providing appropriate controls. Since alcohol (ALC) has caloric as well as pharmacological effects, dual controls must be established. The caloric effects of ALC can alter an animal's nutritional state in important ways. Therefore, studies involving more than one or two ALC doses must provide adequate controls for both the pharmacological and the non-specific nutritive effects. Unfortunately, such controls are often difficult to establish and validate.