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Fewer pigmented neurons in the locus coeruleus of uncomplicated alcoholics
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | Arango, Victoria Underwood, Mark D. Mann, J. John |
| Copyright Year | 1994 |
| Abstract | Altered noradrenergic function is associated with alcoholism. Reduced brain norepinephrine (NE) concentrations and beta-adrenergic receptor supersensitivity following chronic alcohol consumption suggest a reduced level of noradrenergic neurotransmission. To further elucidate the reason for changes in noradrenergic function, we determined the number of melanin-containing noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC) postmortem from 11 controls and 7 alcoholics. Controls did not have a known history of psychiatric or neurologic disorders and were drug-free by toxicological screen. The diagnosis of alcohol-dependence was based on DSM-III-R criteria. Alcoholics differed from controls in having 23% fewer LC neurons (control: 43,472 +/- 1,021; alcoholic: 33,398 +/- 2184; P < 0.0005) and 46% lower density of neurons (control: 1,227 +/- 89 cells per mm3; alcoholic: 663 +/- 94 cells per mm3; P = 0.001). The reduction in neurons was bilateral and throughout the middle third of the LC. The two groups did not differ with respect to LC length (control: 16.1 +/- 0.6 mm; alcoholic 15.3 +/- 0.9 mm; P = 0.47) or total LC volume (control: 37.3 +/- 2.8 mm3; alcoholic: 46.5 +/- 4.2 mm3; P = 0.09). Changes in noradrenergic neurotransmission in alcoholics may be due to fewer noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus and may contribute to memory loss and depression, common consequences of alcoholism. |
| Starting Page | 1 |
| Ending Page | 8 |
| Page Count | 8 |
| File Format | PDF HTM / HTML |
| DOI | 10.1016/0006-8993(94)90199-6 |
| PubMed reference number | 7953660 |
| Journal | Medline |
| Volume Number | 650 |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | https://api.elsevier.com/content/article/pii/0006899394901996 |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0006899394901996?dgcid=api_sd_search-api-endpoint |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-8993%2894%2990199-6 |
| Journal | Brain Research |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
