The role of calcium homeostasis and calcium currents in ethanol actions on central mammalian neurons

Alcohol Alcohol Suppl. 1993:2:395-401.

Abstract

The ubiquitous role of calcium in ethanol actions measured electrophysiologically in central neurons is discussed. Acute ethanol administration to rat hippocampal neurons in vitro causes a hyperpolarization, increased AHPs, increased EPSPs and IPSPs, decreased modelled electronic interneuronal coupling, decreased high threshold Ca2+ currents, increased Ik, and increased synaptic GABAA currents. Alcohol withdrawal reverses some of these actions. Ca2+ is implicated in all of the above ethanol mediated effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Electrophysiology
  • Ethanol / toxicity*
  • Hippocampus / drug effects*
  • Hippocampus / metabolism*
  • Homeostasis
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Male
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Potassium Channels / drug effects
  • Potassium Channels / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Receptors, GABA-A / drug effects
  • Receptors, GABA-A / metabolism
  • Synaptic Transmission / drug effects

Substances

  • Potassium Channels
  • Receptors, GABA-A
  • Ethanol
  • Calcium