A review of synaptic plasticity at Purkinje neurons with a focus on ethanol-induced cerebellar dysfunction

The cerebellum controls balance, posture, motor coordination, and cognition, and studies suggest that ethanol impairs these cerebellar functions. However, the mechanisms through which ethanol produces these effects are not fully understood. Here, we review evidence suggesting that ethanol acts, in part, by impairing synaptic plasticity mechanisms at cerebellar Purkinje neurons. We will primarily focus on recent experiments indicating that long-term depression at both parallel fiber- and climbing fiber-Purkinje cell synapses is inhibited by acute ethanol exposure. We will also discuss experimental evidence showing that chronic prenatal ethanol exposure converts long-term depression into long-term potentiation at parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapses.