BIPHASIC EFFECT OF ETHANOL ON EXTRACELLULAR ACCUMULATION OF GLUTAMATEIN THE HIPPOCAMPUS AND THE NUCLEUS-ACCUMBENS

The effect of systemic ethanol administration on the extracellular lev els of glutamate in the hippocampus and nucleus accumbens of conscious rats was assessed using microdialysis. At 0.5 g/kg, ethanol caused a sustained increase in the levels of glutamate in both regions. Followi ng 1.0 g/kg. response was observed in the nucleus accumbens while a tr end towards a decrease in glutamate levels occurred in hippocampus. In jection of 2.0 g/kg ethanol decreased these levels in both regions. Th ese findings suggest a relationship between the previously reported bi phasic behavioral consequence of ethanol and its effect on glutamaterg ic neurotransmission.