The MCSF parameters used for assessment of overall locomotor activity are relevant for different types of activity. Distance moved in the total arena shows how mobile the animals are, total activityreflects the number of zones visited, i.e., how active the animals are in switching between different zones, and rearing, besides being indicative of vertical exploration, is indicative as a measure of locomotor ability, i.e., if the animals are able to rise on their hind
legs. Based on these measures, rats administered the 0.0 g/kg dose were active throughout the 30-min trial. Rats receiving the 0.5 g/kg dose were as active or slightly more active compared to the 0.0 g/kg dose during the first 15 min. During the last 15 min the total activity was lower than during the first 15 min but not different from the
0.0 g/kg dose. Animals administered the 1.0 g/kg and 1.5 g/kg doses had lower overall activity after 10 min that remained lower throughout the test session, which is here interpreted as indicative of alcohol-induced motor suppression. This suppressed activity also affected the overall behavioral profile, resulting in lower general activity and risk-taking behavior. In addition, the animals administered the highest dose (1.5 g/kg) demonstrated reduced exploratory activity and displayed physical signs of alcohol-induced sedation. Taken together, acute administration of alcohol at 1.0 g/kg and 1.5 g/kg are considered locomotor suppressing. These findings differ from many previous reports in the literature, although the effects of peripheral alcohol administration are age-, dose-, timeand task-dependent