Abstract

The effects of acute and chronic ethanol treatment have been investigated on the cerebral concentration of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). In addition, the activities of both l-glutamate 1-carboxylyase (GAD) and 4-aminobutyrate: 2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase (GABA-T) have been measured and also the rate of 3H-GABA disappearance following its intracisternal injection into rat brain. Acute ethanol administration caused no significant change in the GABA concentration. There was, however, an increase in GAD activity, but no change in GABA-T activity or the rate of disappearance of 3H-GABA. Chronic ethanol treatment, on the other hand, caused a 48 per cent increase in GABA concentration. There was no simultaneous change in GAD activity but the GABA-T activity was significantly increased. Again there was no change in the rate of disappearance of 3H-GABA. It is suggested that these effects may be due to an action of ethanol on the metabolic pool of GABA as distinct from the transmitter pool.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.