Early-life adversity selectively impairs α2-GABA_A receptor expression in the mouse nucleus accumbens and influences the behavioral effects of cocaine.

ABSTRACT: Haplotypes of the Gabra2 gene encoding the α2-subunit of the GABA_A receptor (GABA_AR) are associated with drug abuse, suggesting that α2-GABA_ARs may play an important role in the circuitry underlying drug misuse. The genetic association of Gabra2 haplotypes with cocaine addiction appears to be evident primarily in individuals who had experienced childhood trauma. Given this association of childhood trauma, cocaine abuse and the Gabra2 haplotypes, we have explored in a mouse model of early life adversity (ELA) whether such events influence the behavioral effects of cocaine and if, as suggested by the human studies, α2-GABA_ARs in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) are involved in these perturbed behaviors. In adult mice prior ELA caused a selective decreas

SUBMITTER: Mitchell SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6178871 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature