Nuclear inclusions following chronic ethanol administration. An electron-microscopic investigation of the rat parietal cortex.

Wistar rats with an average initial body weight of 180 g received a 15% (v/v) ethanol-water solution over a period of 6 months. Neurons of the parietal cortex (area 3) showed a significant increase of nuclear inclusions which consisted of parallel filaments and tubular systems. Furthermore, we observed an augmentation of lipid droplets, nemetosomes, and straight filaments. The latter could not be identified in control animals. It is discussed whether the occurrence of these structures might be enhanced by an altered cellular metabolic activity during the chronic ethanol administration.