Ethanol augments GABAergic transmission in the central amygdala via CRF1 receptors.
The central amygdala (CeA) plays a role in the relationship among stress, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), and alcohol abuse. In whole-cell recordings, both CRF and ethanol enhanced gamma-aminobutyric acid-mediated (GABAergic) neurotransmission in CeA neurons from wild-type and CRF2 receptor knockout mice, but not CRF1 receptor knockout mice. CRF1 (but not CRF2) receptor antagonists blocked both CRF and ethanol effects in wild-type mice. These data indicate that CRF1 receptors mediate ethanol enhancement of GABAergic synaptic transmission in the CeA, and they suggest a cellular mechanism underlying involvement of CRF in ethanol's behavioral and motivational effects.
Department of Neuropharmacology and Alcohol Research Center, Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
Zhiguo
Z
Nie
Paul
P
Schweitzer
Amanda J
AJ
Roberts
Samuel G
SG
Madamba
Scott D
SD
Moore
George Robert
GR
Siggins
D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000679:Amygdala / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000378:metabolism; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D000099052:CRF Receptor, Type 1
C101531:CRF receptor type 2; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D000431:Ethanol; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000099052:CRF Receptor, Type 1; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone