Electrographic Changes Induced in Cats by Ethanol Intoxication

Abstract

Introduction The neurological and behavioral disturbances induced by ethyl alcohol intoxication in humans suggest that gross changes in the electrical activity of the brain should be related to them. However, the scalp EEG records from intoxicated human subjects have shown only mild or moderate slowing of activity.^5,6 Conceivably, however, abnormalities induced by ethanol might be localized to deep structures without being reflected in the scalp records. Of such structures, those composing the "limbic system" seemed to require special attention in view of the role it may play in the integration of emotional behavior.^12,15,16 To test this possibility permanent recording electrodes were implanted in various limbic structures and also in the thalamus and neocortex of cats. The effects of intoxicating doses of ethanol were assessed repeatedly on electrograms recorded from these leads. Additional observations were made on acute preparations to determine if the same intoxicating doses of ethanol induced