Behavioral sensitization to ethanol is modulated by environmental conditions, but is not associated with cross-sensitization to allopregnanolone or pentobarbital in DBA/2J mice

These studies indicate that behavioral sensitization to ethanol is not associated with cross-sensitization to pentobarbital or allopregnanolone, and that the expression of ethanol sensitization is influenced by the relative novelty of the test chamber. In addition, these results do not support a mechanism in which alterations in the neurosteroid or barbiturate modulatory sites of the GABAA receptor are responsible for the expression of sensitization to the locomotor stimulant effects of ethanol.