Reduced motor cortex GABABR function following chronic alcohol exposure

The GABA(B) receptor (GABA(B)R) agonist baclofen has been used to treat alcohol and several other substance use disorders (AUD/SUD), yet its underlying neural mechanism remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate cortical GABA(B)R dynamics following chronic alcohol exposure. Ex vivo brain slice recordings from mice chronically exposed to alcohol revealed a reduction in GABA(B)R-mediated currents, as well as a decrease of GABA(B1/2)R and G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channel 2 (GIRK2) activities in the motor cortex. Moreover, our data indicated that these alterations could be attributed to dephosphorylation at the site of serine 783 (ser-783) in GABA(B2) subunit, which regulates the surface expression of GABA(B)R. Furthermore, a human study using paired-pulse-transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) analysis further demonstrated a reduced cortical inhibition mediated by GABA(B)R in patients with AUD. Our findings provide the first evidence that chronic alcohol exposure is associated with significantly impaired cortical GABA(B)R function. The ability to promote GABA(B)R signaling may account for the therapeutic efficacy of baclofen in AUD.

Automated summary

Chronic alcohol exposure leads to significant alterations in cortical GABA(B) receptor function, resulting in weakened cortical inhibition mediated by GABA receptors. These changes may be attributed to the modulation of phosphorylation status of GABA(B) receptor subunits.