QUANTITATIVE ALTERATIONS AFTER LONG-TERM ALCOHOL ADMINISTRATION IN THE DORSAL LATERAL GENICULATE-NUCLEUS (DLGN) IN THE RABBIT (ORYCTOLAGUS-CUNICULUS)

The effects of chronic excessive alcohol ingestion on the central nerv ous system were studied in neurons of the dorsal lateral geniculate nu cleus (dLGN) in the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). In this nucleus, n euron density and other morphometric parameters such as the somatic vo lume of the cells have been investigated both under normal conditions and under alcohol intoxication. Special attention was given to the pos sibility that positive somatic heteropycnosis may be a sip of imminent cell death. In addition, the percentage volumes occupied by normal ne uronal soma and by affected cells were determined. Continuous alcohol treatment for 6 months reduced the size of certain types of neurons, t he alteration being specially intense in areas with an abundance of la rger neurons. In these areas more intense sips of somatic heteropycnos is also appeared. We discuss the relationship between the condition of the inhibitory neurons (GABAergic interneurons), the distribution of these in the lower zone of the nucleus, and their greater resistance'' to die influence of alcohol. This type of stereological analysis is i ntended to provide a better interpretation of the different degrees of the effects of alcohol, and to give more detailed information about c hanges at cellular level, both for comparative purposes with other sit uations and to shed light on the alterations caused by alcoholism.