Violation of the functional activity of the nervous and immune systems is an essential link in the pathogenesis of chronic alcohol dependence. The search for new psychopharmacological agents whose action is directed to correction of neuroimmune interaction opens new perspectives for the treatment of alcohol dependence.

(CBAxC57Bl/6) F1 mice with active and passive behavioral types in a state of chronic alcohol dependence owing to 6 month 10% ethanol exposure were undergoing intragastric administration of original anticonvulsant meta-chloro-benzhydryl-urea. Animal's behavioral and immune parameters, brain cytokines synthesis before and after anticonvulsant receiving were estimated.

In the formation of experimental alcohol dependence in animals the most pronounced changes in motor and exploratory activities in open field test, brain cytokines synthesis and suppression of immune response were registered in mice with passive type of behavior. Daily consumption of ethanol solution in mice with chronic alcohol dependence decreased sharply starting from 2 days of anticonvulsant administration and led to the cessation of ethanol consumption by the 5 day. After anticonvulsant administration for 10 days behavioral parameters in mice were comparable with those in the control group of healthy animals. It also restored brain cytokines synthesis and significant stimulated humoral immune response, estimated by the relative number of antibody-forming spleen cells.

Behavior and immune changes following chronic ethanol exposure depended on the behavior status of animals; administration of the original anticonvulsant meta-chloro-benzhydryl-urea may correct both immune and behavior disorders in mice with chronic alcohol dependence, so it has promise in the treatment of alcoholism.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.