[The role of acetaldehyde in the effect of alcohol on the central catecholaminergic mechanisms].

Variations in the concentration of noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (A) were examined in the hypothalamus, brain stem and cerebral hemispheres under the influence of acetaldehyde and ethanol given alone and combined in single and chronic doses. In some experiments acetaldehyde and ethanol were administered in combination with teturam. The data obtained attest to an important role of acetaldehyde in disturbing the catecholamine mechanisms under alcoholization. As for the hypothalamus, the action of acetaldehyde manifests in the coupling of the two oppositely directed processes--a decrease of NA concentration and a rise of A concentration. In contrast to the other study brain structures, in the cerebral hemispheres acetaldehyde combined with teturam reduces the level of NA and A.