Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 11, 2026
15:27
Construction of Vapor Chambers Used to Expose Mice to Alcohol During the Equivalent of all Three Trimesters of Human Development
Published on: July 13, 2014
15.3K
Changes in calcium currents during ethanol withdrawal in a genetic mouse model
J L Perez-Velazquez1, T A Valiante, P L Carlen
1Playfair Neuroscience Unit, Toronto Hospital Research Institute, Bloorview Epilepsy Program, University of Toronto, Ont., Canada.
Brain Research
|June 27, 1994
Summary
Ethanol withdrawal increases voltage-dependent calcium currents in the hippocampus of seizure-prone mice. This suggests elevated calcium currents contribute to alcohol withdrawal hyperexcitability in susceptible individuals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Genetics
Background:
- Ethanol withdrawal is associated with hyperexcitability and seizures.
- Voltage-dependent calcium channels play critical roles in neuronal excitability.
- Genetic factors influence susceptibility to alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in hippocampal calcium currents during ethanol withdrawal.
- To compare these changes between alcohol withdrawal seizure-prone (WSP) and withdrawal-resistant (WSR) mouse strains.
Main Methods:
- Electrophysiological recordings of voltage-dependent calcium currents in dentate gyrus slices.
- Utilized WSP and WSR mouse strains to assess genetic contributions.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in high-voltage activated calcium currents was observed during ethanol withdrawal in the WSP strain.
- No significant enhancement of calcium currents was found in the WSR strain during withdrawal.
Conclusions:
- Increased calcium currents are implicated in the hyperexcitability observed during alcohol withdrawal in seizure-prone individuals.
- Genetic differences between WSP and WSR strains influence the response of calcium currents to ethanol withdrawal.
