Biphasic effect of ethanol on extracellular accumulation of glutamate in the hippocampus and the nucleus accumbens.
The effect of systemic ethanol administration on the extracellular levels of glutamate in the hippocampus and nucleus accumbens of conscious rats was assessed using microdialysis. At 0.5 g/kg, ethanol caused a sustained increase in the levels of glutamate in both regions. Following 1.0 g/kg, response was observed in the nucleus accumbens while a trend towards a decrease in glutamate levels occurred in hippocampus. Injection of 2.0 g/kg ethanol decreased these levels in both regions. These findings suggest a relationship between the previously reported biphasic behavioral consequence of ethanol and its effect on glutamatergic neurotransmission.
Moghaddam
B
B
Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, VA Medical Center, West Haven, CT 06516.
Bolinao
M L
ML
D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D017551:Microdialysis; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors
D000431:Ethanol; D018698:Glutamic Acid