Social Isolation-Induced Increase in Alpha-4 and Delta Subunit Gene Expression Is Associated with Greater Efficacy of Ethanol on Steroidogenesis and GABA-A Receptor Function
May 2006
in “
Journal of Neurochemistry
”
TLDR Social isolation makes rats more sensitive to alcohol's effects on the brain.
The study demonstrated that social isolation in rats led to increased expression of α4 and δ subunits of the GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor in the brain, which was associated with a heightened efficacy of ethanol on steroidogenesis and GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor function. Isolated rats showed a more pronounced ethanol-induced increase in the neurosteroid 3α,5α-TH PROG in the brain compared to plasma, and ethanol's ability to inhibit isoniazid-induced convulsions was greater in these rats than in group-housed ones. This effect was blocked by finasteride. Additionally, ethanol enhanced GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor-mediated inhibitory currents more effectively in isolated rats, suggesting that social isolation altered GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor expression and increased the stimulatory effects of ethanol on brain function and behavior.
