[The role of acetaldehyde in the pathogenetic mechanisms of the development of chronic alcoholism].

Experiments on white rats were carried out to confirm an important role of acetaldehyde in pathogeny of alcoholism. It is evidenced by results of experiments when animals were given acetaldehyde and medichronal (a drug which combines acetaldehyde) and by data obtained in the course of studies of changes in the content of endogenic ethanol and acetaldehyde, activity of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase, concentration of biogenic amines (catecholamines and serotonin) in the blood and brain structures.