Nickolal Mullen, Brigham Young University
Psychology
Previous studies have shown that the monoamines are related to risk for alcoholism, and that both are affected by early rearing experiences. This study builds on previous research in examining the effect of alcohol on monoamine neurotransmitter systems, by exposing macaques to a set dose of alcohol and measuring CNS monoamine metabolites. We explored
the effect of early rearing conditions on central monoamine metabolites before and after intravenous alcohol administration. Subjects consisted of 100 young adult/late adolescent male and female rhesus macaques that were reared either by their mothers or without adults, in peer-reared conditions. Alcohol was administered intravenously on two separate test occasions, and the resulting monoamine concentrations were measured. Baseline and post-alcohol-infusion cisternal CSF samples were obtained to assay for monoamine concentrations for each subject. One to two months later, subjects were allowed free access to a sweetened alcohol solution and intake was measured for each subject. Both mother-reared and peer-reared animals exhibited a significant increase in concentrations of 5-HIAA, MHPG, and HVA following alcohol administration (p<.001 for each metabolite). In addition, peer-reared monkeys had lower levels of all three metabolites both at baseline and after alcohol administration in comparison with mother-reared subjects. Baseline and post-infusion CSF monoamine levels predicted alcohol intake. These results show the influence of alcohol on the monoamine neurotransmitter systems and that the functioning of the monoamine system is related to high alcohol intake and is related to early rearing experiences.