Metabolism of acetylcholine and gamma-aminobutyric acid in the basal ganglia and limbic cortex of rats at different stages in the development of alcohol dependence

An increase in content of acetylcholine (AC) as well as stimulation of choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase were observed in basal ganglia of rat brain during development of alcohol dependency, thus indicating the activation of the AC structures. Less distinct activation of the AC stru...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inVoprosy meditsinskoi khimii Vol. 32; no. 1; p. 110
Main Authors Maslova, I V, Shevchenko, N V, Balakleevskiĭ, A I
Format Journal Article
LanguageRussian
Published Russia (Federation) 01.01.1986
Subjects
Acetylcholine - metabolism
Animals
Basal Ganglia - metabolism
Cerebral Cortex - metabolism
Ethanol
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - metabolism
Limbic System - metabolism
Male
Rats
Substance-Related Disorders - metabolism
Time Factors
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Summary:An increase in content of acetylcholine (AC) as well as stimulation of choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase were observed in basal ganglia of rat brain during development of alcohol dependency, thus indicating the activation of the AC structures. Less distinct activation of the AC structures occurred in limbic (frontal) cortex. At the step of complete alcohol dependency the patterns of AC metabolism were considerably normalized in the both brain structures; at the same time, activity of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system was decreased, which occurred due to inhibition of the GABA synthesis. At the III step of experimental alcoholism with "physical" dependency on ethanol synthesis and release of the AC were lowered, especially distinct in basal ganglia. These phase alterations in the activity of the AC structures in basal ganglia were accompanied by the similar alterations in content of glutamate: an increase of glutamate at the I step of alcoholism and a decrease--at the III step. Possible mechanisms and pathogenetic role of the phase alterations observed in metabolism of the brain neurotransmitters and in activity of AC- and GABA-structures during development of alcohol dependency are discussed. The data obtained suggest that the specific steps of alcoholism should be taken into consideration in the differential treatment using neurotransmitter drugs.
ISSN:0042-8809