Alcohol consumption has differential effects if consumed immediately prior after blast exposure

Alcohol has been shown to have both neuroprotective and deleterious effects for traumatic brain injury. Because alcohol acts on GABAergic receptors in the brain, we hypothesize that GABAergic damage during blast-exposure influences whether alcohol has these protective or aversive effects. To test this hypothesis, animals were monitored for motor ability with RotoRod and Versimax. All animals were tested prior to alcohol administration and after administration. Thirty minutes after administration all animals had a significant motor impairment. Animals that were administered alcohol prior to the blast exposure performed significantly better in motor function and had a decreased incidence of tinnitus compared to animals with alcohol exposure 2 days after the blast exposure. We conclude that the timing of alcohol consumption impacts the recovery of animals to blast-exposure.