Peculiarities of neuroregulatory mechanisms of adaptation under alcohol dependence (experimental study)

Abstract

Neurophysiological and biochemical markers of alcohol dependence were identified in a study conducted in laboratory rats at the systemic and molecular levels. It has been shown that long-term alcohol consumption is accompanied by an increase in dopamine levels in the ventral tegmental area and a decrease in GABA and BDNF levels in the hippocampus and serum and leads to attenuation of neocortex control of the limbic emotional-motivational system of the brain. Disturbance of the mechanisms of structural and functional organization of wake-sleep processes and regulation of emotional reactions, which is reflected in the suppression of slow-wave sleep, reduction of paradoxical sleep, inhibition of positive emotional centers, the development of anxiety and depression have been determined. Key words: alcohol dependence, sleep-wake, anxiety, depression, catecholamines, GABA, BDNF