title: Effects of ethanol on hippocampal function during adolescence: a look at the past and thoughts on the future.
abstract: It has been demonstrated by several laboratories that ethanol, both acute and chronic, produces effects that are age dependent. Specifically, adolescent rats are less sensitive to the hypnotic and motor-impairing effects of ethanol but are more sensitive to the hypothermic effects of the drug. However, the results on hippocampal function are not as clear. For example, there have been mixed findings regarding adolescent sensitivity of hippocampal-dependent (spatial) memory in response to ethanol. The current review explores the present state of the field as it relates to ethanol's effects in the hippocampus, particularly as it relates to spatial memory. In addition, we review potential neurobiological mechanisms that might underlie the age-dependent effects of ethanol in the hippocampus. Finally, future directions are proposed that will advance the state of the field as it relates to ethanol's effect during this developmental period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Baylor University Additions Research Consortium, Waco, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Vivien S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Candice E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Van Skike
authors.forename: Douglas B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Matthews
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D041923:Adolescent Development; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D000818:Animals; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000633:toxicity; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000633:toxicity; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000431:Ethanol