Effects of lesion of the locus coeruleus and clonidine treatment on ethanol withdrawal syndrome in rats.

Ethanol dependence was induced i Wistar male rats by administration of ethanol by gavage for 5 days in 3 fractional doses. Clonidine (0.1 mg/kg ip) strongly reduced the withdrawal syndrome. Bilateral lesions in the nucleus locus coeruleus were also able to decrease several withdrawal signs. Our data indicate that drugs decreasing activity of noradrenergic brain neurons might be useful in treatment of ethanol dependence.