Separate And Combined Effects Of Chronic Administration Of Energy Drink And Alcohol On The Learning Behavior Of Female Albino Wistar Rats

Abstract

Rising energy drink–alcohol co-consumption raises cognitive concerns, yet evidence on their combined effects on female learning behaviour remains limited. This study therefore examined the separate and combined effects of energy drink and alcohol on learning behavior in female albino Wistar rats. Twenty-eight female rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 7): control (distilled water), energy drink, alcohol, and combined energy drink plus alcohol. Energy drink (Red Bull®; 1.0 ml/kg) and alcohol (0.25 ml/kg) were administered orally for 28 consecutive days. Learning performance was assessed using a T-maze task, with latency to locate a food reward recorded 30 minutes after daily administration. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results revealed a significant main effect of treatment on learning performance, F(3, 24) = 6.01, p = .003. Rats that received the energy drink alone exhibited significantly shorter latencies compared with the control group, indicating enhanced learning efficiency. Alcohol administration alone did not significantly affect learning performance. In contrast, rats exposed to the combined energy drink and alcohol treatment displayed the longest learning latencies, suggesting impaired cognitive performance relative to the energy drink-only condition. These findings indicate that while energy drink consumption may transiently facilitate learning, its co-consumption with alcohol may negate these benefits and impair cognitive function. The study underscores the potential neurobehavioral risks associated with alcohol–energy drink combinations.