Original Article: Alcohol Exposure During Late Adolescence Increases Drinking in Adult Wistar Rats, an Effect That Is Not Reduced by Finasteride

The study investigated the impact of alcohol exposure during late adolescence on future alcohol consumption in adult Wistar rats and whether finasteride could modulate this effect. Male rats were exposed to 8% alcohol for 1 week during late adolescence, and their voluntary alcohol consumption was measured 1 month later in adulthood. The results showed that this exposure led to a 4-fold increase in alcohol consumption in adulthood. Finasteride, administered either during adolescence or adulthood, did not reduce this increased alcohol preference. The findings suggested that late adolescence is a critical period for the effects of alcohol exposure, leading to increased alcohol preference in adulthood.