Pharmacological targeting of the GABA_B receptor alters Drosophila's behavioural responses to alcohol.

ABSTRACT: When exposed to ethanol, Drosophila melanogaster display a variety of addiction-like behaviours similar to those observed in mammals. Sensitivity to ethanol can be quantified by measuring the time at which 50% of the flies are sedated by ethanol exposure (ST50); an increase of ST50 following multiple ethanol exposures is widely interpreted as development of tolerance to ethanol. Sensitivity and tolerance to ethanol were measured after administration of the gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor B (GABA_B ) agonist (SKF 97541) and antagonist (CGP 54626), when compared with flies treated with ethanol alone. Dose-dependent increases and decreases in sensitivity to ethanol were observed for both the agonist and antagonist respectively. Tolerance was recorded in the presence of GABA_B</

SUBMITTER: Ranson DC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7050513 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature