SALİM YALÇIN İNAN, FAZİLET AKSU
Annals of Medical Sciences - 2003;12(3):65-71
Purpose: It has previously been suggested that chronic ethanol consumption upregulates NMDA receptors and increases synaptic activation of calcium currents in the animal brain. Methods: Researchers developed an experimental ethanol dependence by inhalation in mice to determine the withdrawal signs. Then, the effects of dizocil-pine (MK-801), a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, and verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, on the behavioral changes and handling- and PTZ-induced seizures during withdrawal were investigated. Results: Stereotypic behaviors, abnormal posture, walking impairments, tremors, handling and PTZ-induced convulsions were observed for the signs of withdrawal syndrome. There were significant changes in the signs of withdrawal syndrome in the mice that received the ethanol by inhalation. Dizocilpine and verapamil inhibited behavioral signs and convulsions in a dose dependent manner. Conclusion: These results suggest that activation of NMDA receptors and calcium channels may play a role in ethanol withdrawal syndrome.
