Persistent alcohol use despite negative consequences is a key feature of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and is typically assessed using punishment in animal models. This study examined relapse-like behavior in male and female alcohol-preferring iP rats following punishment-imposed voluntary abstinence to alcohol seeking. We focused on alcohol seeking in the punishment-associated environment after prolonged abstinence. Finally, we sought to understand the predictability of relapse-like behavior by examining AUD comorbidities, namely, anxiety-like behavior and the response to repeated, moderate punishment. We found no sex differences in operant self-administration of alcohol. However, we did find a reduced propensity to relapse in the punishment-associated environment in female rats following prolonged abstinence. Relapse propensity was associated with the response to punishment during operant training, but not prior anxiety-like behavior. Together these results highlight the importance of studying sex differences in relapse to alcohol seeking. In addition, the behavioral response to a negative consequence may be a predictor of relapse, particularly in females. Improving our understanding of the sexually dimorphic responses in alcohol seeking may be a powerful tool for designing personalized, or at least sex-specific, approaches to treatment and rehabilitation programs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

中文翻译：

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重复、适度的足部电击降低了雌性 iP 大鼠（而非雄性）嗜酒复发的倾向。

尽管有负面后果，但持续饮酒是酒精使用障碍 (AUD) 的一个关键特征，通常在动物模型中使用惩罚进行评估。这项研究检查了男性和女性嗜酒 iP 大鼠在惩罚性自愿戒酒后的类似复发行为。我们专注于在长期禁欲后在与惩罚相关的环境中寻求酒精。最后，我们试图通过检查 AUD 合并症，即焦虑样行为和对重复、适度惩罚的反应来了解复发样行为的可预测性。我们发现操作性自我管理酒精没有性别差异。然而，我们确实发现在长期禁欲后，雌性大鼠在与惩罚相关的环境中复发的倾向降低。复发倾向与操作训练期间对惩罚的反应有关，但与先前的焦虑样行为无关。这些结果共同强调了研究酒精寻求复发的性别差异的重要性。此外，对负面后果的行为反应可能是复发的预测因素，尤其是在女性中。提高我们对寻求酒精的性别二态反应的理解可能是设计个性化或至少针对性别的治疗和康复计划方法的有力工具。（PsycInfo 数据库记录 (c) 2021 APA，保留所有权利）。对消极后果的行为反应可能预示着复发，尤其是在女性中。提高我们对寻求酒精的性别二态反应的理解可能是设计个性化或至少针对性别的治疗和康复计划方法的有力工具。（PsycInfo 数据库记录 (c) 2021 APA，保留所有权利）。对消极后果的行为反应可能预示着复发，尤其是在女性中。提高我们对寻求酒精的性别二态反应的理解可能是设计个性化或至少针对性别的治疗和康复计划方法的有力工具。（PsycInfo 数据库记录 (c) 2021 APA，保留所有权利）。