Lower Packing Density of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein–Immunoreactive Astrocytes in the Prelimbic Cortex of Alcohol-Naive and Alcohol-Drinking Alcohol-Preferring Rats as Compared With Alcohol-Nonpreferring and Wistar Rats

摘要

BackgroundLow packing density of glial cells, possibly astrocytes, has been described in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of “uncomplicated” alcoholics. Astrocytes perform crucial support functions in the processing of neurotransmitters and transfer of energy substrates from blood to cortical neurons. It is still unknown whether attrition in the numbers of astrocytes is only a consequence of prolonged alcohol abuse or also predates the exposure to alcohol in subjects at risk for alcohol dependence.