Effects of Chronic Ethanol on VTA GABA Neuron Synaptic Activity

Authors

Stephanie Sandoval, Brigham Young University
Dr. Scott Steffensen, Brigham Young University

Keywords

chronic ethanol, VTA GABA neurons, addiction, drug reward

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Psychology

Abstract

The mesocortico limbic system is implicated in drug reward. An important substrate underlying chronic effects of ethanol on Dopamine (DA) neurotransmission in the mesolimbic pathway is gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA)(Ludlow et al. 2009). VTA GABAergic interneurons are the primary inhibitory regulator of DA neurons and a subset of GABA(A) receptors may be implicated in the switch from heavy drinking to dependence. Previous studies have shown that chronic ethanol results in a significant down regulation in the expression of D2 receptors in ethanol consuming rats versus the controls. This possibly results from persistent DA release onto GABA neurons (Ludlow et al. 2009).

Recommended Citation

Sandoval, Stephanie and Steffensen, Dr. Scott (2013) "Effects of Chronic Ethanol on VTA GABA Neuron Synaptic Activity," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 529.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/529