Gamma-aminobutyric acid system and bioelectric activity of the brain of rats during alcoholic intoxication

• Published in: Fiziologicheskii zhurnal SSSR imeni I. M. Sechenova Vol. 66; no. 9; p. 1298
• Main Authors: Edmonds, Jr, H L, Sylvester, D M, Bellin, S I, Blagova, O E, Nikitina, Z S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Russian
• Published: Russia (Federation) 01-09-1980
• Subjects: 4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase - metabolism; Alcoholic Intoxication - physiopathology; Animals; Brain Chemistry; Electroencephalography; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - analysis; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - metabolism; Glutamate Decarboxylase - metabolism; Glutamates - analysis; Glutamine - analysis; Humans; Male; Motor Activity - physiology; Rats
• ISSN: 0015-329X

The changes of the GABA metabolizing enzyme activities in rat brain are connected with the phases of the functional condition of the central nervous system and doses of ethanol. Increase in the dose of ethanol caused the distinct decrease of locomotion degree and vertical component of motor activity. Chronic ethanol consumption caused an increase of the enzyme activities of GABA metabolism without any change of the brain GABA level. The brain glutamine concentration and the GAbA-T activity were increased but there was no change in the brain GABA level of rats after 24-hr ethanol withdrawal. Significant increases in mean energy content of EEG occurred throughout the withdrawal period in both dietary groups of rats receiving ethanol. In 24 hr after withdrawal, prodromal and ictal activity were apparent in the spontaneous EEG records of "ethanol" group.