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Related Experiment Videos

Acute ethanol-induced changes in cerebral blood flow

J Tiihonen1, J Kuikka, P Hakola

  • 1Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kuopio, Finland.

The American Journal of Psychiatry
|October 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary

Acute alcohol intake increases cerebral blood flow in the right prefrontal cortex, linked to euphoria. This effect is mediated by the endogenous opioid system and blocked by naloxone.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Ethanol consumption can induce euphoria.
  • The neural mechanisms underlying alcohol-induced euphoria are not fully understood.
  • The role of the endogenous opioid system in acute ethanol effects requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) during acute ethanol intoxication.
  • To determine the brain regions associated with ethanol-induced euphoria.
  • To explore the involvement of the endogenous opioid system in these effects.

Main Methods:

  • High-resolution single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was employed.
  • CBF was measured in six healthy male subjects.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Subjects received either intravenous placebo or naloxone before rapid ethanol consumption.

    • Main Results:

    • Intravenous placebo followed by ethanol significantly increased regional CBF in the right prefrontal cortex compared to baseline.
    • No significant change in CBF was observed when naloxone was administered before ethanol intake.
    • These findings suggest a link between right prefrontal cortex activation and ethanol-induced euphoria.

    Conclusions:

    • Euphoria during acute ethanol intake is associated with activation of the right prefrontal cortex.
    • This activation appears to be mediated by the endogenous opioid system.
    • Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, blocks the ethanol-induced increase in CBF, supporting the role of opioid pathways.