Changes in local cerebral glucose utilization after chronic ethanol in rats

Abstract

Local rates of cerebral glucose utilization were investigated in ethanol-treated rats using the 2-deoxy[ 14C]glucose method. Rats received ethanol in drinking water for 3 h each day. After 4 days of exposure to 2 or 4% ethanol ( v v ), there was a general tendency toward increased local cerebral glucose utilization. In contrast, after 28 days of exposure to concentrations to 10% ethanol a general depression of cerebral glucose metabolism was observed. Brain regions showing significantly reduced glucose utilization rates in the 28-day group included components of the extrapyramidal system, several thalamic and hypothalamic nuclei, and forebrain limbic structures. A group of animals tested 7 days after discontinuation of ethanol showed essentially normal rates of local cerebral glucose utilization, indicating that alterations in regional brain glucose metabolism induced by this particular regimen and duration of ethanol administration were largely reversible.