Abstract
In central neurons, a tonic conductance is activated by ambient levels of the inhibitory transmitter GABA. Here, we show that in dentate gyrus granule cells, where tonic inhibition is mediated by delta subunit-containing GABA(A) receptors, this conductance is augmented by low concentrations (30 mM) of ethanol. In contrast, the tonic inhibition mediated by alpha5 subunit-containing receptors of CA1 pyramidal cells is not affected. The effect of ethanol on tonic inhibition specifically reduces the excitability of the dentate gyrus and identifies the delta subunit-dependent tonic inhibition as a likely site of ethanol action in the brain.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Dentate Gyrus / cytology
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Dentate Gyrus / drug effects
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Dentate Gyrus / metabolism
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Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
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Ethanol / pharmacology*
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Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / drug effects
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Hippocampus / cytology
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Hippocampus / drug effects
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Hippocampus / metabolism*
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In Vitro Techniques
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Neural Inhibition / drug effects*
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Neural Inhibition / physiology
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Neurons / drug effects
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Neurons / metabolism*
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Patch-Clamp Techniques
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Protein Subunits / drug effects
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Protein Subunits / metabolism
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Pyramidal Cells / drug effects
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Pyramidal Cells / metabolism
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Receptors, GABA-A / drug effects
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Receptors, GABA-A / metabolism*
Substances
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Protein Subunits
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Receptors, GABA-A
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Ethanol