Biomaterial Database

Altered voltage-gated calcium channels in rat inferior colliculus neurons contribute to alcohol withdrawal seizures. 2015

Prosper N'Gouemo

Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown, University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA. Electronic address: pn@georgetown.edu.

We have previously reported that enhanced susceptibility to alcohol withdrawal seizures (AWS) parallels the enhancement of the current density of high-threshold voltage-gated Ca(2+) (CaV) channels in rat inferior colliculus (IC) neurons. However, whether this increased current density is a cause or consequence of AWS is unclear. Here, I report changes in the current density of CaV channels in IC neurons during the course of alcohol withdrawal and the potential anticonvulsant effect of intra-IC infusions of L- and P-type CaV channel antagonists. Whole-cell currents were activated by depolarizing pulses using barium as the charge carrier. Currents and seizure susceptibility were evaluated in control animals 3h after alcohol intoxication, as well as 3h (before AWS), 24h (when AWS susceptibility is maximal), and 48h (when AWS susceptibility is no longer present) after alcohol withdrawal. Nifedipine, nimodipine (L-type antagonists) or ω-agatoxin TK (P-type antagonist) were infused intra-IC to probe the role of CaV channels in the pathogenesis of AWS. CaV current density and conductance in IC neurons were significantly increased 3 and 24h after alcohol withdrawal compared with the control group or the group tested 3h following ethanol intoxication. Blockade of L-type CaV channels within the IC completely suppressed AWS, and inhibition of P-type channels reduced AWS severity. These findings suggest that the enhancement of CaV currents in IC neurons occurs prior to AWS onset and that alterations in L- and P-type CaV channels in these neurons may underlie the pathogenesis of AWS.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007245	Inferior Colliculi	The posterior pair of the quadrigeminal bodies which contain centers for auditory function.	Colliculus, Inferior,Brachial Nucleus of the Inferior Colliculus,Caudal Colliculus,Colliculus Inferior,Inferior Colliculus,Posterior Colliculus,Colliculi, Inferior,Colliculus Inferiors,Colliculus, Caudal,Colliculus, Posterior,Inferior, Colliculus,Inferiors, Colliculus
D008297	Male		Males
D008564	Membrane Potentials	The voltage differences across a membrane. For cellular membranes they are computed by subtracting the voltage measured outside the membrane from the voltage measured inside the membrane. They result from differences of inside versus outside concentration of potassium, sodium, chloride, and other ions across cells' or ORGANELLES membranes. For excitable cells, the resting membrane potentials range between -30 and -100 millivolts. Physical, chemical, or electrical stimuli can make a membrane potential more negative (hyperpolarization), or less negative (depolarization).	Resting Potentials,Transmembrane Potentials,Delta Psi,Resting Membrane Potential,Transmembrane Electrical Potential Difference,Transmembrane Potential Difference,Difference, Transmembrane Potential,Differences, Transmembrane Potential,Membrane Potential,Membrane Potential, Resting,Membrane Potentials, Resting,Potential Difference, Transmembrane,Potential Differences, Transmembrane,Potential, Membrane,Potential, Resting,Potential, Transmembrane,Potentials, Membrane,Potentials, Resting,Potentials, Transmembrane,Resting Membrane Potentials,Resting Potential,Transmembrane Potential,Transmembrane Potential Differences
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D002121	Calcium Channel Blockers	A class of drugs that act by selective inhibition of calcium influx through cellular membranes.	Calcium Antagonists, Exogenous,Calcium Blockaders, Exogenous,Calcium Channel Antagonist,Calcium Channel Blocker,Calcium Channel Blocking Drug,Calcium Inhibitors, Exogenous,Channel Blockers, Calcium,Exogenous Calcium Blockader,Exogenous Calcium Inhibitor,Calcium Channel Antagonists,Calcium Channel Blocking Drugs,Exogenous Calcium Antagonists,Exogenous Calcium Blockaders,Exogenous Calcium Inhibitors,Antagonist, Calcium Channel,Antagonists, Calcium Channel,Antagonists, Exogenous Calcium,Blockader, Exogenous Calcium,Blocker, Calcium Channel,Blockers, Calcium Channel,Calcium Blockader, Exogenous,Calcium Inhibitor, Exogenous,Channel Antagonist, Calcium,Channel Blocker, Calcium,Inhibitor, Exogenous Calcium
D002492	Central Nervous System Depressants	A very loosely defined group of drugs that tend to reduce the activity of the central nervous system. The major groups included here are ethyl alcohol, anesthetics, hypnotics and sedatives, narcotics, and tranquilizing agents (antipsychotics and antianxiety agents).	CNS Depressants,Depressants, CNS
D004195	Disease Models, Animal	Naturally-occurring or experimentally-induced animal diseases with pathological processes analogous to human diseases.	Animal Disease Model,Animal Disease Models,Disease Model, Animal
D000431	Ethanol	A clear, colorless liquid rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and distributed throughout the body. It has bactericidal activity and is used often as a topical disinfectant. It is widely used as a solvent and preservative in pharmaceutical preparations as well as serving as the primary ingredient in ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.	Alcohol, Ethyl,Absolute Alcohol,Grain Alcohol,Alcohol, Absolute,Alcohol, Grain,Ethyl Alcohol
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013997	Time Factors	Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations.	Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor