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Alcohol and Presynaptic Inhibition in an Isolated Spinal Cord Preparation
Robert A. Davidoff, MD
Arch Neurol. 1973;28(1):60-63.
Abstract
The perfused in vitro amphibian spinal cord preparation was used as an experimental model to investigate the effects of alcohol (ethanol) on a complex neural system. Addition of alcohol (150 to 450 mg/100 ml) to the perfusate consistently enhanced primary afferent depolarization (PAD). This was manifested by increased dorsal root (DR) potentials and increased excitability of DR terminals in response to dorsal or ventral root stimulation. As a result of the increased PAD, presynaptic inhibition of orthodromic reflex activity was augmented. It is probable that alcohol brings about these effects by potentiating the action of  -aminobutyric acid (GABA), the putative transmitter responsible for presynaptic inhibition, since the depolarization of primary afferent terminals elicited by this amino acid was significantly increased following exposure to alcohol.
Author Affiliations
Miami, Fla
From the Neurology Service, Veterans Administration Hospital, and the Department of Neurology, University of Miami (Fla) School of Medicine.
Footnotes
Accepted for publication Aug 17, 1972.
Reprint requests to Neurology Service (180), Veterans Administration Hospital, 1201 NW 16th St, Miami, Fla 33125 (Dr. Davidoff).
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