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Updated: Feb 6, 2026

In Vivo Optical Calcium Imaging of Learning-Induced Synaptic Plasticity in Drosophila melanogaster
Published on: October 8, 2019
Synaptic plasticity mechanisms common to learning and alcohol use disorder
David M Lovinger1, Karina P Abrahao1
1Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
Abstract:
Alcohol use disorders include drinking problems that span a range from binge drinking to alcohol abuse and dependence. Plastic changes in synaptic efficacy, such as long-term depression and long-term potentiation are widely recognized as mechanisms involved in learning and memory, responses to drugs of abuse, and addiction. In this review, we focus on the effects of chronic ethanol (EtOH) exposure on the induction of synaptic plasticity in different brain regions. We also review findings indicating that synaptic plasticity occurs in vivo during EtOH exposure, with a focus on ex vivo electrophysiological indices of plasticity. Evidence for effects of EtOH-induced or altered synaptic plasticity on learning and memory and EtOH-related behaviors is also reviewed. As this review indicates, there is much work needed to provide more information about the molecular, cellular, circuit, and behavioral consequences of EtOH interactions with synaptic plasticity mechanisms.
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