In this study, thalamic GABAA receptor α4 subunit levels were regulated after acute and chronic ethanol exposure, with temporal expression changes affected by phosphorylation state and neuroactive steroids.
48 citations
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September 2007 in “European Journal of Neuroscience” This study found that ethanol's ability to block long-term potentiation in rat hippocampal slices is influenced by neurosteroids that enhance GABA A receptor activity.
82 citations
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July 2011 in “Journal of Neuroscience” In this study, ethanol was found to enhance GABAergic neurosteroid production and inhibit long-term potentiation in rat hippocampal slices via unblocked NMDA receptor activation, effects reversible by specific inhibitors.
April 2008 in “Annals of General Psychiatry” This study found that social isolation in rats enhanced the effects of ethanol on certain brain steroids, increased GABAA receptor subunits, and amplified ethanol's inhibitory effects on seizures.
1 citations
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January 2019 in “Elsevier eBooks” This review suggests that GABAergic neuroactive steroids modulated by alcohol could play a role in vulnerability to alcohol use disorders, providing a rationale for further therapeutic exploration.