Eight genes from the list of significant genes in Table 1 were selected for RT-PCR. The criteria for selection were fold change (at least 20% difference), that the gene was neurobiologically interesting (e.g., Fos and Jun changes may be related to neuronal activity), and the availability of primers. The microarray results indicated that 6 of the 8 genes were up regulated in the alcohol drinking group and 2 of the genes were down regulated. RT-PCR confirmed the direction and magnitude of the changes observed with the microarray analysis between the CA and W control groups (Table 3).
