In vitro inhibition of vasopressin release in brain by behaviorally relevant ethanol concentrations

Roberta E. Brinton, Raphael Gruener, Pushpa Deshmukh, Henry I. Yamamura

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have investigated the effect of ethanol upon vasopressin (AVP) content in brain and upon in-vitro release of AVP from the rat median eminence. In-vitro ethanol concentrations (5-25 mM), comparable to behaviorally relevant blood ethanol levels, induce a substantial inhibition of AVP release from the median eminence, whereas higher ethanol concentrations (> 50 mM) potentiate release. In vivo, ethanol, at a behaviorally relevant blood ethanol concentration (126 mg%), does not produce a significant difference in AVP content in brain although there is a consistent trend towards an increase in the hypothalamus and neurohypophysis. The results are considered in relation to the effects of ethanol on biogenic amine release and to memory impairments induced by low doses of acute ethanol exposure.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)213-217
Number of pages5
JournalNeuroscience Letters
Volume67
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 18 1986

Keywords

  • alcohol
  • brain
  • ethanol
  • vasopressin
  • vasopressin content
  • vasopressin release

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'In vitro inhibition of vasopressin release in brain by behaviorally relevant ethanol concentrations'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this