# Effects of GABA Co-Release on Alcohol-Induced Synaptic Plasticity

> **NIH NIH F32** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $64,554

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a chronically relapsing disorder for which few effective treatments exist.
Excessive alcohol use causes a number of changes in the brain that promote increased alcohol use. One of
the regions that has been shown to be affected by chronic alcohol is the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) which is
involved in the control of goal-directed behaviors. Substantial evidence now shows that a history of alcohol
exposure results in increased excitatory transmission in the DMS and that this increases alcohol intake. This
brain region also receives inputs from the midbrain releasing the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA which
counteracts excitatory transmission. It has recently been shown that GABA released by this projection is
synthesized by the enzyme ALDH1a1, and that acute alcohol decreases the amount of GABA released via this
pathway. In this proposal, we will test the hypothesis that loss of this inhibitory input contributes to the
pathology in AUD by causing excessive excitatory drive in the DMS. Because alterations in synaptic
transmission cause long-term changes in the relative efficiency of communication between neurons, we will
examine whether loss of inhibitory transmission results in (1) enhanced synaptic strengthening and (2) reduced
synaptic weakening of excitatory transmission. Using 2-photon microscopy, slice electrophysiology, and
fluorescent biosensors, we will mechanistically dissect the role of GABA release on synaptic plasticity. These
experiments will advance our understanding of the neurobiology of alcohol in the DMS and may lead to better
treatment strategies for AUD.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10067293
- **Project number:** 1F32AA028693-01
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Daniel W Bloodgood
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $64,554
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10067293

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10067293, Effects of GABA Co-Release on Alcohol-Induced Synaptic Plasticity (1F32AA028693-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10067293. Licensed CC0.

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