Deletion of N-type calcium channels alters ethanol reward and reduces ethanol consumption in mice
Philip M Newton, Christine J Orr, Melisa J Wallace, Chanki Kim, Hee-Sup Shin, Robert O Messing, Philip M Newton, Christine J Orr, Melisa J Wallace, Chanki Kim, Hee-Sup Shin, Robert O Messing
Abstract
N-type calcium channels are modulated by acute and chronic ethanol exposure in vitro at concentrations known to affect humans, but it is not known whether N-type channels are important for behavioral responses to ethanol in vivo. Here, we show that in mice lacking functional N-type calcium channels, voluntary ethanol consumption is reduced and place preference is developed only at a low dose of ethanol. The hypnotic effects of ethanol are also substantially diminished, whereas ethanol-induced ataxia is mildly increased. These results demonstrate that N-type calcium channels modulate acute responses to ethanol and are important mediators of ethanol reward and preference.
Figures
![Figure 1.](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/instance/6730245/bin/zns0450496740001.jpg)
![Figure 2.](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/instance/6730245/bin/zns0450496740002.jpg)
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Source: PubMed