99HRT Effects of Chronic Alcohol Exposure on Kainate Receptor-Mediated Neurotransmission in the Hippocampus
Abstract
We have been testing the hypothesis that chronic alcohol exposure alters expression and/or function of kainate receptors (KA-Rs) in the hippocampus. These receptors have been shown to control hippocampal excitability and an ethanol-induced upregulation of kA-Rs could contribute to the hyperexcitability associated to alcohol withdrawal. We have exposed adult male rats to a liquid diet containing ethanol for 16 days. We have euthanized these rats on the last day of this diet at the peak of ethanol consumption and removed their brains. At this point, we have completed an initial assessment of the effects of chronic ethanol exposure on the expression of KA receptor subunits and other glutamate receptor subunits in whole hippocampal homogenates by using Western blot techniques. These initial experiments did not detect a change in the expression levels of any of these glutamate receptor subunits. We are currently analyzing results of autoradiographical and immunohystochemical studies, which have greater sensitivity than Western immunoblotting studies, to assess ethanol's effects in hippocampal subregions. Electrophysiological studies of KA receptor-mediated currents in hippocampal subregions are also underway. Importantly, we will soon initiate studies with alcohol withdrawn animals, which will likely have changes in KA receptors as suggested by experiments with cultured neurons.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA398176
Entities
People
- C. F. Valenzuela
Organizations
- University of New Mexico