Sucrose preference test

Seventy-two hr after the last alcohol/water access of eight-cycle DID (20% EtOH and H2O), mice were assessed for their preference for 1% sucrose over three consecutive days, followed by 2% sucrose for the subsequent three days, using a 24 hr two-bottle choice assay as previously described (²⁸). The home cage water bottle was replaced with two 50 ml bottles, one containing 1% sucrose and one containing water, and bottles were weighed and replaced in switched positions every 24 hr for three days. The following three days, the same procedure was repeated with bottles containing water and 2% sucrose. Sucrose and water intake were recorded, and consumption and preference were analyzed for days 2–3 for each sucrose concentration. Data were excluded if a bubble in the bottle spout prevented access to the sucrose on that day.