Cognitive function in rats with alcohol ingestion

The effect of alcohol ingestion on learning disturbances was tested in rats. Rats were fed either an alcohol solution or a nonalcohol solution. The concentration of acetylcholine in the whole brain was significantly lower in rats fed with alcohol than rats fed without alcohol. Passive avoidance learning shows a lower tendency in rats with alcohol compared to rats without alcohol, but the alcohol and control groups did not differ in passive avoidance learning. We suggest that alcohol may disturb acetylcholine metabolism in the brain.