Chronic alcohol alters rewarded behaviors and striatal plasticity. (26th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: DePoy, Lauren; Daut, Rachel; Wright, Tara; Camp, Marguerite; Crowley, Nicole; Noronha, Bianca; Lovinger, David; Holmes, Andrew
• Is Part Of: Addiction biology. Volume 20:Number 2(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 345
• Page End: 348
• Publication Date: 2014-03-26
• Subjects: Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Substance abuse -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Substance-Related Disorders -- periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1111/adb.12131
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-6215

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) alters neural functions and behaviors mediated by the dorsolateral striatum (DLS) and prefrontal cortex. Here, we examined the effects of prolonged (16‐bout) CIE on DLS plasticity and DLS‐mediated behaviors. <italic>Ex vivo</italic> electrophysiological recordings revealed loss in efficacy of DLS synaptically induced activation and absent long‐term depression after CIE. CIE increased two‐bottle choice drinking and impaired Pavlovian‐to‐instrumental transfer but not discriminated approach. These data suggest prolonged CIE impaired DLS plasticity, to produce associated changes in drinking and cue‐controlled reward‐seeking. Given recent evidence that less‐prolonged CIE can promote certain dorsal striatal‐mediated behaviors, CIE may drive chronicity‐dependent adaptations in corticostriatal systems regulating behavior.</p> </abstract>