The two-bottle choice protocol was carried out as previously described (Blednov et al., 2003). Two drinking tubes were available continuously to each mouse, and tubes were weighed daily. One tube always contained water. Food was available ad libitum. During recovery, after LPS injection, the mice were weighed and water intake was measured daily. During the two-bottle choice experiment, mice were weighed every 4 d. After 7 d of water consumption (during recovery after LPS injection), mice were offered a choice between 3% ethanol (v/v) versus water for 2 d. Tube positions were changed every day to control for position preferences. The quantity of ethanol consumed (g/kg body weight/24 h) was calculated for each mouse, and these values were averaged for each concentration of ethanol. Immediately following 3% ethanol, a choice between 6% (v/v) ethanol and water was offered for 2 d, then 9% (v/v) ethanol vs. water for 2 d, then 12% (v/v) ethanol vs. water for 2 d, 15% (v/v) ethanol vs. water for 2 d, 18% (v/v) ethanol vs. water for 2 d, and finally 21% (for female
