[Permeability of the blood-brain barrier to 3H-GABA during alcoholic intoxication].

It has been shown that intraperitoneal injection of alcohol in a single subnarcotic dose decreases 3H-GABA accumulation in the medulla oblongata, hypothalamus, nucleus caudatus, cortex, and thalamus. When given in a narcotic dose alcohol produces biphasic changes in 3H-GABA accumulation by the brain: an increase within the period of narcosis and a reduction in 24 hours. Acetaldehyde given in a narcotic dose causes a steady increase in 3H-GABA penetration in all the structures. There were also differences in 3H-GABA penetration in the cortex and hypothalamus in rats with high and low rates of alcohol consumption under the conditions of free choice. The role of changes in functional relationships between GABA system elements in the formation of alcohol motivation and dependence is discussed.