ETHANOL ACTIONS IN THE AMYGDALA IN VITRO PREPARATION

酒精滥用和依赖仍然是一个严重的公共健康问题。 这一问题与许多相关的发病率和死亡率有关。这个 酒精中毒的生物、心理和社会原因是复杂的；然而，目前 文献表明，焦虑的缓解在补益中是突出的。 酒精的影响。许多研究人员目前正在使用动物模型 阐明产生焦虑和缓解焦虑的生物底物。 这些研究现在表明杏仁核在 调节这些现象，并表明杏仁核是最 用于生理底物研究的合适模型系统 酒精介导的焦虑症。尽管有这些基础工作，但很少有人 研究已经解决了酒精对杏仁核生理的影响。AS 酒精的影响仅限于脑区和神经元类型 对酒精对杏仁核直接影响的研究将提供这方面的信息。 在……上面。 目前的提议将使用最先进的电生理学 研究酒精对杏仁核脑影响的技术 切片准备。尽管相关浓度的乙醇很可能 作用于多个神经元部位，但仍保持相当高的水平 特异度。最一致的发现是对 突触传递和电压敏感离子通道。这 提案将包括研究乙醇与乙醇之间的相互作用。 以及电压依赖电流、突触传递和突触 可塑性。 这一提议的结果在几个方面具有潜在的应用 区域。通过用一种特定的方法检查酒精的生理效应 关注抗焦虑和致焦虑作用的潜在机制， 这项研究可能会指导未来对病因和治疗的临床研究。 酗酒。这项研究也可能阐明参与的机制。 焦虑症和癫痫的发展。最后， 拟议的工作将提供评估 特异性神经递质在乙醇诱导的焦虑和抑郁中的作用 研究与反复饮酒有关的长期影响 使用。

Ethanol abuse and dependence continue to be a serious public health issue, with much associated morbidity and mortality. The biopsychosocial causes of alcoholism are complex; however, the current literature indicates that anxiolysis is prominent in the reinforcing effect of alcohol. Many investigators are currently using animal models to elucidate the biological substrates of anxiogenesis and anxiolysis. These studies now indicate a significant role for the amygdala in mediating these phenomena, and suggest that the amygdala is the most appropriate model system for investigating the physiological substrates of ethanol-mediated anxiolysis. In spite of this groundwork, few studies have addressed effects of ethanol on amygdala physiology. As ethanol effects are specific for brain regions and neuron types, only a study of direct ethanol effects in the amygdala will provide this informa on. The present proposal will use state-of-the-art electrophysiological techniques to investigate effects of ethanol in the amygdala brain slice preparation. Although ethanol in relevant concentrations likely acts at multiple neuronal sites, it still retains a remarkably high degree of specificity. The most consistent findings are effects on synaptic transmission and voltage-sensitive ion channels. This proposal will include investigations of interactions between ethanol and voltage-dependent currents, synaptic transmission, and synaptic plasticity. The results of this proposal have potential applications in several areas. By examining physiological effects of alcohol with a specific focus on mechanisms underlying the anxiolytic and anxiogenic actions, this study may direct future clinical studies on causes and treatment of alcoholism. This study also may elucidate mechanisms involved in development of anxiety disorders and seizure disorders. Finally, the proposed work will provide critical groundwork needed to assess the role of specific neurotransmitters in ethanol-induced anxiolysis and to investigate the long-term effects associated with repeated ethanol use.