Investigation of ethanol-induced impairment of spatial memory in γ2 heterozygous knockout mice

• Published in: Neuroscience letters 2009-05, Vol.455 (2), p.84-87
• Main Authors: Berry, Raymond B., Chandra, Dev, Diaz-Granados, Jaime L., Homanics, Gregg E., Matthews, Douglas B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Ethanol; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; GABA A receptor knockout; Morris water maze; Spatial memory; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; γ2 subunit
• ISSN: 0304-3940; 1872-7972
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2009.03.046

GABA A receptors, the major inhibitory receptors in the mammalian central nervous system, are affected by a number of drug compounds, including ethanol. The pharmacological effects of certain drugs have been shown to be dependent upon specific GABA A receptor subunits. Because benzodiazepines and ethanol have similar effect signatures, it has been hypothesized that these drugs share the γ2-containing GABA A receptors as a mechanism of action. To probe the involvement of the γ2 subunit in ethanol's actions, spatial memory for the Morris water maze task was tested in γ2 heterozygous knockout mice and wild type littermate controls following ethanol administration at the following doses: 0.0, 1.25, 1.75, and 2.25 g/kg. While baseline learning and memory were unaffected by reduction of γ2 containing GABA A receptors, ethanol dose-dependently impaired spatial memory equally in γ2 heterozygous knockouts and wild type littermate controls.