Monoamine metabolism in rat brain regions following long term alcohol treatment

Female Wistar rats (150--200 g) were treated with ethanol (15% w/v) for 21 days and compared with control rats given water. Ethanol administration produced a reduction of fluid and food consumption and changes in the metabolism of cerebral monoamines. There was an increase in serotonin (5-HT) turnover statistically significant in the striatum, and a decrease in noradrenaline (NA) turnover in ethanol rats as compared to controls. Endogenous NA levels were significantly increased in the diencephalon and dopamine (DA) levels were increased in the striatum. After inhibition of catecholamine synthesis with alpha-methyltyrosine (alpha-MT), NA depletion was significantly retarded but no changes in DA depletion were noted. DOPA accumulation after decarboxylation inhibition showed no significant change in any brain region studied.