The effects of ethanol on developing catecholamine neurons.
Significantly lower concentrations of norepinephrine were observed in whole brain and hypothalamus of pups exposed to ethanol pre- and post-natally as compared to controls. Dopamine levels were found to be unaltered in whole brain compared to controls although hypothalamus and corpus striatum demonstrated a decreased concentration in the experimental animals exposed to ethanol. The reduced levels of these neurotransmitters observed in the hypothalamus could reflect a direct damage to norepinephrine neurons by pre- or post-natal exposure to ethanol. However, depressed dopamine levels in the corpus striatum indicate additional injury to dopamine neurons. Alternatively, a modulatory interaction between norepinephrinergic and dopaminergic systems may be operative in these offspring. The changes observed in catecholamines could not be explained by a single and simple mode of ethanol action in the developing rat.
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000502:physiology*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats
D002395:Catecholamines; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D000431:Ethanol