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Regional Differences in the Effects of Chronic Ethanol Administration on [ 3 H]Zolpidem Binding in Rat Brain
Author(s) -
Devaud Leslie L.,
Morrow A. Leslie,
Criswell Hugh E.,
Breese George R.,
Duncan Gary E.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1111/j.1530-0277.1995.tb00966.x
Subject(s) - zolpidem , inferior colliculus , substantia nigra , chemistry , gabaa receptor , ethanol , pharmacology , cerebellum , endocrinology , medicine , receptor , biochemistry , neuroscience , biology , dopamine , nucleus , dopaminergic , insomnia
A strong association has been observed between [ 3 H]zolpidem binding and the presence of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA A ) receptor mRNA for α 1 ‐, β 2 ‐, and γ 2 ‐subunits in specific brain regions. This correlates with observed sensitivity of individual neurons to zolpidem and ethanol in these same regions. Previous studies using homogenate binding approaches showed small alterations in [ 3 H] zolpidem binding levels after chronic ethanol exposure. This study was undertaken to ascertain if there is regional specificity of the effects of chronic ethanol administration on [ 3 H] zolpidem binding levels. Chronic ethanol administration induced small, but significant alterations in [ 3 H] zolpidem (5 nM) binding in the Inferior colliculus, substantia nigra, and the medial septum. [ 3 H]Zolpidem binding was increased in the inferior colliculus and substantia nigra, and decreased in the medial septum. No significant differences in [ 3 H] zolpidem binding were noted in any other brain area analyzed, including the cortex and cerebellum. These findings show that chronic ethanol administration has small effects on [ 3 H] zolpidem binding, although they occur in a site‐specific and bidirectional manner. Moreover, there is no correlation between changes in [ 3 H] zolpidem binding and alterations In GABA A receptor subunit expression.