Alcohol action on extended amygdala glutamate synapses

摘要 酒精使用障碍（AUD）是我们社会的巨大健康和经济负担。越来越多的文献 表明，扩展杏仁核在压力-奖励相互作用中起着关键作用， 慢性酒精暴露的行为反应我们证明了慢性间歇性酒精暴露 上调CRF受体依赖的谷氨酸释放增加，以及突触后NMDA 受体功能的延伸杏仁核谷氨酸突触。我们建议在这里测试一个“两击”模型， 由此，慢性酒精暴露和戒断所产生的情感障碍取决于 延伸的杏仁核谷氨酸突触的协调的突触前和突触后调节。加强这一 根据受训者的研究经验和发展，我们提出了一系列的实验来绘制机制 通过这种方式，可以通过改变 兴奋性和抑制性驱动。她将在一个强迫禁欲模型中探索这些机制 慢性酒精暴露，获得体外成像和电生理训练， 啮齿动物酒精暴露模型。导师制还将侧重于通过手稿的沟通技巧 为科学会议编写和制作海报。

Abstract Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a tremendous health and financial burden on our society. A growing literature indicates that the extended amygdala plays a key role in stress-reward interactions that may mediate key behavioral responses to chronic alcohol exposure. We demonstrated that chronic intermittent alcohol exposure up regulates CRF receptor dependent augmentation of glutamate release, as well as postsynaptic NMDA receptor function at extended amygdala glutamate synapses. We propose here to test a "two-hit" model, whereby affective disruptions produced by chronic alcohol exposure and withdrawal depend upon the coordinated pre- and postsynaptic regulation of extended amygdala glutamate synapses. To enhance this trainee’s research experience and development, we propose a series of experiments to map out mechanisms by which glutamateric inputs to the BNST (from the insula) may be organized and recruited via changes in excitatory and inhibitory drive on these cells. She will explore these mechanisms in a forced abstinence model of chronic alcohol exposure, gaining ex vivo imaging and electrophysiological training, and experience with rodent alcohol exposure models. Mentorship will also focus on communication skills through manuscript preparation and preparation of posters for scientific conferences.