The effects of alcohol and atropine on EEG and behavior in the rabbit

Abstract

Electroencephalographic (EEG) activity was recorded from hippocampus and neocortex of rabbits. It was found that movement, movement-related 6-12 Hz rhythmical slow activity (RSA), and movement-related neocortical desynchronization were unaffected by intravenous atropine sulfate but depressed by ethyl alcohol (ethanol). Slower 4-8 Hz immobility-relate- RSA and immobility-related neocortical desynchronization produced by sensory stimulation (visual, auditory, tactile, vestibular) were relatively unaffected by ethanol even at high (0.1-0.2 g-%) blood alcohol levels, but were abolished by atropine sulfate. The results provide evidence for the idea of two pharmacologically separable cortical activating systems and suggest that ethanol has a greater effect on non-cholinergic than cholinergic systems.