Evidence of a Central Cholinergic Role in Alcohol Preference

Abstract

Specific genetic strains of mice which are alcohol preferrers and others which are alcohol non-preferrers have been differentiated. For example, the C₅₇B1 strains have been shown to be alcohol preferrers and the DBA strains have been found to reject alcohol (Rodgers and McClearn, 1962). Thus far, the major biochemical differentiating factor between preferrer and non-preferrer strains has been in the rate of acetaldehyde metabolism where the DBA strains have been shown to metabolize acetaldehyde less rapidly and thus to show greater accumulation of acetaldehyde after ethanol ingestion with consequent greater associated signs of toxicity (Schlesinger et al., 1966). Other neurochemical parameters to differentiate the alcohol preferrers have been focused on the role of serotonin (5-HT). Alcohol selecting strain of rats have been shown to have a higher content of brain serotonin; chronic alcohol consumption further increases the brain content of serotonin in the alcohol preferrers but not in the non-preferrers (Ahtee and Eriksson, 1972). Para-chloro-phenylalanine (pCPA), a selective inhibitor of tryptophan hydroxylase, has been reported to reduce alcohol preference by some investigators (Myers and Veale, 1968) but not by others (Nachman et al., 1970).

Supported by Grant MH-16477