Ethanol augments GABAergic transmission in the central amygdala via CRF1 receptors.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
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.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Nie, Z; Schweitzer, P; Roberts, AJ; Madamba, SG; Moore, SD; Siggins, GR
Published Date
- March 5, 2004
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 303 / 5663
Start / End Page
- 1512 - 1514
PubMed ID
- 15001778
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1095-9203
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1126/science.1092550
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States