Alterations of the thalamo-cortical system in rats prenatally exposed to ethanol are prevented by concurrent administration of acetyl-L-carnitine.
We previously demonstrated that adult rats prenatally exposed to ethanol display permanent damages of thalamo-cortical connections [18,19,33]. Here the effect of simultaneous administration of ethanol and acetyl-L-carnitine has been investigated. Adult animals underwent cortical or thalamic injections of horseradish peroxidase and both anterograde and retrograde thalamic and cortical labeling have been analyzed. Ethanol-induced changes of thalamo-cortical circuits are prevented by concurrent administration of acetyl-L-carnitine. Possible mechanisms underlying this effect are discussed.
Santarelli
M
M
Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, University of Florence, Italy.
Granato
A
A
Sbriccoli
A
A
Gobbi
G
G
Janiri
L
L
Minciacchi
D
D
D000108:Acetylcarnitine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase; D008845:Microinjections; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D051381:Rats; D013003:Somatosensory Cortex / Q000187:drug effects*; D013788:Thalamus / Q000187:drug effects*
D018697:Nootropic Agents; D000431:Ethanol; D000108:Acetylcarnitine; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase