Alterations of the thalamo-cortical system in rats prenatally exposed to ethanol are prevented by concurrent administration of acetyl- l-carnitine

We previously demonstrated that adult rats prenatally exposed to ethanol display permanent damages of thalamo-cortical connections [18,19,33]. Here the effect of simultaneous administration of ethanol and acetyl- l-carnitine has been investigated. Adult animals underwent cortical or thalamic injections of horseradish peroxidase and both antegrade and retrograde thalamic and cortical labeling have been analyzed. Ethanol-induced changes of thalamo-cortical circuits are prevented by concurrent administration of acetyl- l-carnitine.