EFFECTS OF ETHANOL ADMINISTRATION ON BRAIN NEUROTENSIN-LIKE IMMUNOREACTIVITY IN RATS

The effects of acute and chronic ethanol administration on neurotensin -like immunoreactivity (NTLI) were investigated in discrete regions of the rat brain. Rats were administered a single dose (5 g/kg) of ethan ol or rendered ethanol-dependent by repeated forced drinking of a 20% ethanol solution (6-15 g/kg) for 4 days and tested while still intoxic ated or at 12-19 h (W-1) or 7 days (W-2) after ethanol withdrawal. Inc reases in NTLI were seen in the caudate-putamen in the toxic, W-1 and W-2 groups and decreases were observed in the midbrain in the toxic an d W-1 groups. It was assumed that ethanol produced the changes of NTLI in the caudate-putamen and midbrain through its actions upon the dopa minergic system. (C) Munksgaard 1996.