Inhibitory Effects of Ethanol in the Neonatal Rat Hippocampus In Vivo
Abstract
Ethanol-induced neuroapoptosis in the developing brain has been suggested to involve suppression of neuronal activity. However, ethanol acts as a potent stimulant of neuro-nal activity by increasing the frequency of depolarizing GABA dependent giant depolarizing potentials in the neonatal rat hippocampal slices in vitro. Here, we show that ethanol strongly inhibits, in a dose-dependent manner (1-6 g/kg), sharp waves and multiple unit activity in the hippocampus of neonatal (postnatal days P4-6) rats in vivo. Thus, the effects of ethanol on the developing hippocampal network activity cardinally differ in vitro (stimulation) and in vivo (inhibition).
Origin : Publication funded by an institution
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