Ethanol withdrawal is accompanied by downregulation of calcium channel alpha 1B subunit in rat inferior colliculus neurons.

Ethanol withdrawal enhances the current density of calcium (Ca(2+)) channels in inferior colliculus (IC) neurons. The present report shows that ethanol withdrawal markedly enhanced the susceptibility to seizures as it decreased significantly the protein levels of alpha(1B) subunit associated with N-type Ca(2+) channel in IC neurons of animals not tested for seizures. Thus, remodeling of N-type Ca(2+) channels may play an important role in neuronal hyperexcitability that leads to ethanol withdrawal seizures.