Neuronal loss in hippocampus induced by prolonged ethanol consumption in rats.
Quantitative neurohistological techniques were used to examine the hippocampal complex of laboratory rats maintained on ethanol-containing or control diets for 5 months followed by a 2-month alcohol-free period. Chronic ethanol consumption resulted in a significant loss of hippocampal pyramidal and dentate gyrus granule cells. This study provides direct evidence that long-term ethanol consumption, in the absence of malnutrition, produces neuronal loss in the central nervous system.
D000818:Animals; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011712:Pyramidal Tracts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors
D000431:Ethanol