Dose and time dependent cerebrovascular and metabolic effects of ethanol.

The purpose of these experiments was to determine the effect of ethanol dose and time of administration on cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral oxygen consumption (CMRO2). CBF and CMRO2 were measured in Sprague-Dawley rats 30 and 90 minutes after intraperitoneal injections of ethanol. Blood alcohol concentrations ranged from 1 to 3 mg/ml and were equivalent at both time periods. Ethanol produced small but significant increases in CBF and CMRO2 with blood alcohol concentrations. The above changes were not time dependent and were similar between 30 and 90 minute testing periods. The dose dependent effects of ethanol on cerebral metabolism are consistent with in vitro studies suggesting a dose related effect of ethanol on neuronal metabolism. The time of application appears to have little effect on the cerebral metabolic effects of alcohol.