Profound decrement of mesolimbic dopaminergic neuronal activity during ethanol withdrawal syndrome in rats: electrophysiological and biochemical evidence

Single-cell extracellular recordings from dopaminergic neurons of the ventrotegmental region, coupled with antidromic identification from the nucleus accumbens, and microdialysis technique studies in the muscles accumbens were used to examine the activity of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system in rats withdrawn from chronic ethanol administration. The reduction of mesolimbic dopaminergic activity in the ethanol withdrawal syndrome is induced by the sudden stoppage of chronic ethanol administration.