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.
Nie
Zhiguo
Z
Department of Neuropharmacology and Alcohol Research Center, Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
Schweitzer
Paul
P
Roberts
Amanda J
AJ
Madamba
Samuel G
SG
Moore
Scott D
SD
Siggins
George Robert
GR
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