Ethanol is a widely used drug, and excess or even moderate consumption of ethanol is associated with changes in several neurotransmitter systems, including the cholinergic system. The incidence of alcoholic dementia and its insults are well supported by multiple studies, although the mechanisms of neurotoxicity are still poorly understood. Considering that zebrafish have a complete central nervous system (CNS) and that several signaling systems have already been identified in zebrafish, this neurotoxicological model has become useful. In the present study, we investigated the long-term effects of ethanol consumption on the cholinergic system, on oxidative stress, and on inflammatory parameters in the zebrafish brain. Animals were exposed to 0.5% (v/v) ethanol for 7, 14, and 28 days. Ethanol inhibited choline acetyltransferase activity after 7 and 14 days but not after 28 days. Acetylcholinesterase activity did not change after any of the exposure periods. When compared to the control group, thiobarbituric acid reactive species and dichlorodihydrofluorescein levels were increased after chronic ethanol exposure. Antioxidant activity promoted by the CAT/SOD ratio was altered after chronic ethanol exposure, suggesting that EtOH can induce oxidative damage in the zebrafish brain. In contrast, nitrate and nitrite levels and sulfhydryl content were not altered. Ethanol did not modify gene expression of the inflammatory cytokines il-1b, il-10, or tnf-α in the zebrafish brain. Therefore, the cholinergic system and the oxidative balance were targeted by chronic ethanol toxicity. This neurochemical regulatory mechanism may play an important role in understanding the effects of long-term ethanol consumption and tolerance in zebrafish model studies.

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A Doença de Alzheimer (DA), é um tipo de demência progressiva, que se agrava ao longo do tempo, apresentando perda das funções cognitivas, reduzindo assim a capacidade do indivíduo no trabalho e nas relações sociais de forma gradativa. O acompanhamento de um idoso com DA produz desgaste psicológico, físico e financeiro para o cuidador, pois o tratamento é dispendioso e o paciente irá evoluir para um quadro de total dependência. Nos casos em que o cuidador também é membro familiar questões emocionais e psicológicas mais complexas e fortes são somadas. Entender essa realidade é o ponto de partida para melhorar as condições do cuidador familiar. Percebeu-se a importância de enfatizar a necessidade de uma assistência ao membro familiar e cuidador do indivíduo com DA.