Ethanol reverses the direction of long-term synaptic plasticity in the dorsomedial striatum.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
The striatum is a critical structure for the control of voluntary behaviour, and striatal synaptic plasticity has been implicated in instrumental learning. As ethanol consumption can cause impairments in cognition, learning, and action selection, it is important to understand the effects of this drug on striatal function. In this study we examined the effects of ethanol on long-term synaptic plasticity in the dorsomedial striatum (DMS), a striatal subregion that plays a central role in the acquisition and selection of goal-directed actions. Ethanol was found to impair N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR)-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) dose-dependently in the DMS, and to promote long-term depression (LTD) at the highest concentration (50 mm) used. These results suggest that ethanol, at a concentration usually associated with mild intoxication, could significantly change experience-dependent modification of corticostriatal circuits underlying the learning of goal-directed instrumental actions.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Yin, HH; Park, BS; Adermark, L; Lovinger, DM
Published Date
- June 2007
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 25 / 11
Start / End Page
- 3226 - 3232
PubMed ID
- 17552991
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1460-9568
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0953-816X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2007.05606.x
Language
- eng