Changes in Receptor Sensitivity of the Cerebral Cortex and Liver During Chronic Ethanol Ingestion and Withdrawal

Abstract
The evidence was reviewed supporting the noradrenergic sub- and supersensitivity hypothesis of ethanol withdrawal pathogenesis. New data indicates that the cAMP generating system linked to noradrenergic receptor sensitivity is in a steady state in the brain during ethanol withdrawal since the cAMP levels were not different from controls in vivo. Propranolol blocking experiments indicated the beta-adrenergic receptor is a necessary link in the increased cAMP response induced by ethanol withdrawal. The changes in sensitivity observed in the ethanol withdrawn rats were reproduced by acute and chronic reserpinization.

This publication has 57 references indexed in Scilit: