# Basolateral amygdala response to acute alcohol predicts voluntary drinking

> **NIH NIH F31** · TUFTS UNIVERSITY BOSTON · 2022 · $21,481

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 Although most adults in the United States will drink alcohol in their life, only about 6% will go on to develop
an alcohol use disorder (AUD). We understand the cycle of addiction, but it remains unclear why certain people
transition to disordered drinking. Disturbed network activity in regions implicated in AUDs, like the basolateral
amygdala (BLA), has been suggested as a potential explanation. Our preliminary data demonstrates that alcohol
can modulate BLA network activity and the intrinsic differences in BLA activity in response to acute alcohol
exposure can predict future alcohol consumption in an intermittent access (IA) paradigm. This current proposal
aims to understand the cellular mechanism underlying this relationship.
 Our lab has shown that GABAergic parvalbumin (PV) interneurons are crucial modulators of network activity
in the BLA. Therefore, mechanisms that control PV interneurons are positioned to influence communication in
the region. Further, our lab has demonstrated that δ subunit containing GABAA receptors, which are uniquely
sensitive to the effects of alcohol, are highly expressed on PV interneurons in the BLA. These receptors also
influence alcohol intake in a voluntary binge drinking paradigm and anxiety-like behavior in withdrawal.
Therefore, we hypothesize that alcohol modulates network activity in the BLA through δ-GABAA
receptors on PV interneurons in the BLA which influences levels of future voluntary alcohol intake.
 We will build on our preliminary data showing that BLA responses to acute alcohol can predict alcohol
consumption in an IA paradigm by investigating the mechanisms contributing to excessive alcohol intake. The
current project will determine if the GABAAR δ subunit mediates alcohol’s effects on BLA oscillations by a
CRISPR mediated deletion of the GABAAR δ subunit gene (Gabrd) specifically on PV interneurons in the BLA
and recording local field potentials (LFPs) in the BLA during acute exposure to alcohol and an IA paradigm.
 The experiments in this proposed project will provide novel insight into how alcohol changes the network
activity of the BLA. Further, the observed relationship between the BLA response to acute alcohol and future
alcohol consumption may serve as a potential biomarker for alcohol misuse. The mentorship from my sponsor,
Dr. Maguire, and my co-sponsor, Dr. Miczek, will provide me with exceptional support and resources to complete
the proposed experiments. Further, the rigorous environment at Tufts will continue to challenge and support my
academic growth.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10380599
- **Project number:** 5F31AA028410-02
- **Recipient organization:** TUFTS UNIVERSITY BOSTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Alyssa DiLeo
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $21,481
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-03-01 → 2022-06-15

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10380599

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10380599, Basolateral amygdala response to acute alcohol predicts voluntary drinking (5F31AA028410-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10380599. Licensed CC0.

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