A steady escalation in ethanol consumption was found in the 20% ethanol group over 24 ethanol exposure sessions (Figure 1A). Ethanol consumption measured over the last three sessions (22 to 24) were significantly higher in the 20% ethanol intermittent (4.8 ± 0.4 g/kg/24hr, n=31) compared to the 10% ethanol continuous (1.5 ± 0.7 g/kg/24hr, n=10) group (T test; p<0.001). Two-way ANOVA comparing ethanol consumption (g/kg/24hr) in the 20% ethanol intermittent access group and the 10% ethanol continuous access group for 24 sessions revealed an overall main effect of group [F(1,823)=11.0, p<0.01], an overall main effect of session [F(23, 823)=8.4, p<0.001], and an overall significant interaction (group × session) [F(23, 823)=2.5, p<0.05]. Post hoc analysis revealed significant differences in ethanol consumption between the groups (Figure 1A).
