KCNK13 potassium channels in the ventral tegmental area of rats are important for excitation of ventral tegmental area neurons by ethanol.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Alcohol excites neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the release of dopamine from these neurons is a key event in ethanol (EtOH)-induced reward and reinforcement. Many mechanisms have been proposed to explain EtOH's actions on neurons of the VTA, but antagonists generally do not eliminate the EtOH-induced excitation of VTA neurons. We have previously demonstrated that the ion channel KCNK13 plays an important role in the EtOH-related excitation of mouse VTA neurons. Here, we elaborate on that finding and further assess the importance of KCNK13 in rats.

Methods

Rats (Sprague-Dawley and Fisher 344) were used in these studies. In addition to single-unit electrophysiology in brain slices, we used quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry to discern the effe

SUBMITTER: You C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8295203 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature