Nociceptin/orphanin FQ blockade of corticotropin-releasing factor-induced gamma-aminobutyric acid release in central amygdala is enhanced after chronic ethanol exposure.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) mediates stress- and addiction-related processes. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and nociceptin/orphanin FQ (nociceptin) regulate ethanol intake and anxiety-like behavior. In the rat, CRF and ethanol significantly augment CeA gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release, whereas nociceptin diminishes it.

Methods

Using electrophysiologic techniques in an in vitro slice preparation, we investigated the interaction of nociceptin and CRF on evoked and spontaneous GABAergic transmission in CeA slices of naive and ethanol-dependent rats and the mechanistic role of protein kinase A.

Results

In neurons from naive animals, nociceptin dose-dependently diminished basal-evoked GABA(A) receptor-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic p

SUBMITTER: Cruz MT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3838304 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature