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Brain Arachidonic Acid Metabolites Functions and Interactions with Ethanol

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Recent Developments in Alcoholism

Abstract

The formation and potential function of arachidonic acid metabolites in brain are reviewed briefly. Cyclooxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid are formed in brain, but the lipoxygenase derivatives have not been demonstrated. Evidence clearly indicates that the cyclooxygenase products act as neuromodulators. Possible effects of leukotrienes on brain function remain in doubt, although several studies have suggested a role for the leukotrienes and it appears that these agents have a long-lasting effect. Potential interactions between ethanol and brain arachidonic acid metabolites have received minimal attention. Several studies indicate that pretreatment with prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors produces antagonism of ethanol’s behavioral effects. These observations may be related to preliminary findings that ethanol increases brain prostaglandin content.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado, 80220, USA

    Jay Y. Westcott

  2. Institute for Behavioral Genetics and School of Pharmacy, Boulder, Colorado, 80309, USA

    Allan C. Collins

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  1. Jay Y. Westcott
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  2. Allan C. Collins
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA

    Marc Galanter

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© 1985 Plenum Press, New York

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Westcott, J.Y., Collins, A.C. (1985). Brain Arachidonic Acid Metabolites Functions and Interactions with Ethanol. In: Galanter, M. (eds) Recent Developments in Alcoholism. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-7715-7_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-7715-7_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4615-7717-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-7715-7

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