Attenuation of pulsatile changes in the density of striatal [3H]GBR-12935 binding sites during chronic ethanol...

Using [3H]GBR-12935 as a selective ligand, we have examined the properties of rat striatal dopamine transporter complex during chronic ethanol consumption. The results of this study show a significant change in the Bmax (maximal binding capacity), but not Kd (affinity) of [3H]GBR-12935 binding sites. The observed changes were pulsatile and they exhibited an increase (144% of control), decrease (80% of control), tendency to increase (111% of control), increase (141% of control), decrease (84% of control), no change (98% of control), and decrease (80% of control) after 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks of ethanol consumption, respectively. Since the duration of ethanol exposure appears to be an important variable in regulating the properties of dopamine transporter complex, the behavioral changes observed during chronic ethanol intake may vary with time.