Effects of alcohol on the membrane excitability and synaptic transmission of medium spiny neurons in the nucleus accumbens.
Alcohol
; 46(4): 317-27, 2012 Jun.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22445807
ABSTRACT
Chronic and excessive alcohol drinking lead to alcohol dependence and loss of control over alcohol consumption, with serious detrimental health consequences. Chronic alcohol exposure followed by protracted withdrawal causes profound alterations in the brain reward system that leads to marked changes in reinforcement mechanisms and motivational state. These long-lasting neuroadaptations are thought to contribute to the development of cravings and relapse. The nucleus accumbens (NAcc), a central component of the brain reward system, plays a critical role in alcohol-induced neuroadaptive changes underlying alcohol-seeking behaviors. Here we review the findings that chronic alcohol exposure produces long-lasting neuroadaptive changes in various ion channels that govern intrinsic membrane properties and neuronal excitability, as well as excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission in the NAcc that underlie alcohol-seeking behavior during protracted withdrawal.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Transmissão Sináptica
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Etanol
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Canais Iônicos
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Potenciais da Membrana
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Neurônios
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Núcleo Accumbens
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2012
Tipo de documento:
Article