Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.11.245878v1?rss=1 Authors: Van Hees, L., Didone, V., Charlet-Briar, M., Thirion, C., Van Ingelgom, T., Quertemont, E., Nguyen, L., Laguesse, S. Abstract: Adolescence is a developmental period characterized by significant changes in brain architecture and behaviors. The immaturity of the adolescent brain is associated with heightened vulnerability to exogenous agents, including alcohol. Alcohol is the most consumed drug among teenagers, and binge-drinking during adolescence is a major public health concern. Studies have suggested that, by interfering with brain maturation, adolescent alcohol exposure (AAE) may have profound and long-lasting behavioral consequences. In this study, we used an AAE model, in which adolescent male and female mice reach high blood alcohol concentration after voluntarily binge-drinking. In order to assess the short- and long-term consequences of AAE, a battery of behavioral tests was performed during late adolescence and adulthood. We showed that AAE had no short-term effect on young mice behaviors but rather increased anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors, as well as alcohol consumption during adulthood. Moreover, alcohol binge-drinking during adolescence dramatically decreased recognition memory performances and behavioral flexibility in both adult males and females. Our data suggest that AAE insidiously impairs adult behaviors, without any warning sign in late adolescence. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info