Ethanol effects on excitability of corticotropin-releasing factor-expressing neurons in the medial subdivision of the mouse central amygdala nucleus.

BACKGROUND: Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neurons in the medial subdivision of the central amygdala (CeM) are a distinct subpopulation of neurons in a critical brain region modulating ethanol actions. Previous studies have demonstrated enhanced release of GABA and neuropeptides in this brain region in response to acute ethanol exposure. METHODS: We performed whole-cell patch clamp recordings on identified CRF-containing neurons (CeMCRF) in the CeM and measured intrinsic measures of excitability in response to acute ethanol exposure. RESULTS: We found that CeMCRF neurons are highly sensitive to actions of acute ethanol exposure, which suppresses neuronal excitability in a dose-dependent manner and shortens spike duration of the CeMCRF neurons during repetitive firing. Ethanol's inhibitory effect on neuronal excitability persists even in synaptically isolated CeMCRF neurons, an indication of a direct action on the intrinsic membrane properties that underlie excitability. CONCLUSIONS: Our results reveal that ethanol selectively alters intrinsic firing mechanisms of CeMCRF neurons at low dose but broadly suppresses excitability at a higher dose. These findings provide new insight into how alcohol modulates intrinsic membrane properties of these CeMCRF neurons within stress-related amygdala circuits.

Duke Scholars

Author Scott Daniel Moore Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Adult Psychiatry & Psychol ...