Synaptic changes in the rat cerebellum following pre- and postnatal alcohol exposure.
The synapses in the cerebellar vermis molecular layer of 6 week old rats treated with small amounts of ethanol (9 g/kg daily) during pre- and postnatal development were examined. Quantitative analysis was made using a digitizer interfaced to a computer. Some relative and absolute (volume) parameters for synapses were calculated using respective computer programs. The results showed a decreased synaptic density as well as qualitative and quantitative changes in the pre- and postsynaptic elements. The possibility that some changes are compensatory reactions to the decreased synaptic input to the Purkinje cells following prolonged alcohol exposure is discussed.
Lolov
V
V
Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Lolova
I
I
Petkov
V V
VV
D000818:Animals; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003712:Dendrites / Q000187:drug effects; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011247:Pregnancy; D011690:Purkinje Fibers / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects*
D000431:Ethanol