The IFNγ-PKR pathway in the prefrontal cortex reactions to chronic excessive alcohol use.

Background: Brain cell death is a major pathological consequence of alcohol neurotoxicity. However, the molecular cascades in alcohol-induced brain tissue injury are unclear.

Methods: Using Western blot and double immunofluorescence, we examined the expression of interferon (IFN)-induced protein kinase R (PKR), phosphorylated-PKR (p-PKR), and IFN gamma (IFNγ) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of postmortem brains from subjects with alcohol use disorders (AUD).