Accession Number:

ADA434072

Title:

Effects of Chronic Alcohol Exposure on Kainate Receptor-Mediated Neurotransmission in the Hippocampus

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. 1 Sep 2000-31 Aug 2004

Corporate Author:

NEW MEXICO UNIV ALBUQUERQUE

Personal Author(s):

• Valenzuela, C. F.

Report Date:

2004-09-01

Pagination or Media Count:

141.0

Abstract:

Alcohol-related medical disorders affect many organs and systems of the body, including the central nervous system CNS. As with other drugs of abuse, long-term alcohol ingestion results in the development of tolerance, addiction, and dependence. Alcohol produces these effects by altering the actions of neurotransmitters and their receptors in the brain. Chronic ethanol exposure has complex and long-lasting effects on the function andor expression of a myriad of neurotransmitter receptors and their modulators. A group of proteins affected by chronic ethanol exposure are ligand-gated ion channels such as the glutamtergic ionotropic receptors. Glutamate activates three major classes of ionotropic receptors. These three major types of channels are the NMDA, AMPA and kaimate receptors KA-Rs. The overall goal of this study was to test whether or not chronic ethanol exposure results in alterations in subunit expression andor function of KA-Rs in the hippocampus. Maladaptive changes in hippocampal KA-R expression could contribute to the pathophysiology of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

Descriptors:

• *RECEPTOR SITES(PHYSIOLOGY)
• *ALCOHOLS
• *HIPPOCAMPUS
• *ETHANOLS
• GLUTAMIC ACID
• NERVE CELLS
• EXPOSURE(PHYSIOLOGY)
• ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
• NEUROMUSCULAR TRANSMISSION
• DRUG WITHDRAWAL

Subject Categories:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Medicine and Medical Research
• Toxicology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE