Cited by 89Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on BehaviorSubstance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

Alcohol Consumption during Adolescence in a Mouse Model of Binge Drinking Alters the Intrinsic Excitability and Function of the Prefrontal Cortex through a Reduction in the Hyperpolarization-Activated Cation Current

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Salling, Michael C., Skelly, Mary Jane, Avegno, Elizabeth, Regan, Samantha, Zeric, Tamara, Nichols, Elcoma, Harrison, Neil L.·2018·The Journal of Neuroscience

Abstract

Periodic episodes of excessive alcohol consumption (“binge drinking”) occur frequently among adolescents, and early binge drinking is associated with an increased risk of alcohol use disorders later in life. The PFC undergoes significant development during adolescence and hence may be especially susceptible to the effects of binge drinking. In humans and in animal models, adolescent alcohol exposure is known to alter PFC neuronal activity and produce deficits in PFC-dependent behaviors, such as decision making, response inhibition, and working memory. Using a voluntary intermittent access to alcohol (IA EtOH) procedure in male mice, we demonstrate that binge-level alcohol consumption during adolescence leads to altered drinking patterns and working memory deficits in young adulthood, two outcomes that suggest medial PFC dysfunction. We recorded from pyramidal neurons (PNs) in the prelimbic subregion of the medial PFC in slices obtained from mice that had IA EtOH and found that they display altered excitability, including a hyperpolarization of the resting membrane potential and reductions in the hyperpolarization-activated cation current (Ih) and in intrinsic persistent activity (a mode of neuronal firing that is dependent on Ih). Many of these effects on intrinsic excitability were sustained following abstinence and observed in mice that showed working memory deficits. In addition, we found that resting membrane potential and the Ih-dependent voltage “sag” in prelimbic PFC PNs are developmentally regulated during adolescence, suggesting that adolescent alcohol exposure may compromise PFC function by arresting the normal developmental trajectory of PN intrinsic excitability. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Binge alcohol drinking during adolescence has negative consequences for the function of the developing PFC. Using a mouse model of voluntary binge drinking during adolescence, we found that this behavior leads to working memory deficits and altered drinking behavior in adulthood. In addition, we found that adolescent drinking is associated with specific changes to the intrinsic excitability of pyramidal neurons in the PFC, reducing the ability of these neurons to generate intrinsic persistent activity, a phenomenon thought to be important for working memory. These findings may help explain why human adolescent binge drinkers show performance deficits on tasks mediated by the PFC.

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Crossref · 10.1523/jneurosci.0550-18.2018

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  • Recent studies have reported deficits in recall of an extinguished fear response, deficits in reversal learning, and impaired working memory following adolescent alcohol exposure.

    “Recent studies have reported deficits in recall of an extinguished fear response [54], deficits in reversal learning [43], and impaired working memory [55, 56] following AAE.”

    From Consequences of adolescent drug use (2023) · cites this paper as [55]

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Authors
Salling, M. C., Skelly, M. J., Avegno, E., Regan, S., Zeric, T., Nichols, E., & Harrison, N. L.
Affiliations
Columbia University (US)
Venue
The Journal of Neuroscience
Published
2018-06-18
Volume
38
Issue
27
Pages
6207-6222
ISSN
  • 0270-6474 (ISSN-L)
  • 1529-2401
OpenAlex
W2808738602
Cited by
89
References
81
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 2
FWCI
3.53
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (2t32gm008464-31, 5f32aa022028-02)
  • National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (F32 AA-022028, R01AA023531)
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences (T32 GM-008464)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
Keywords
adolescent binge drinking, alcohol consumption, prefrontal cortex, hyperpolarization-activated current, intrinsic excitability, working memory deficits, persistent activity, resting membrane potential, pyramidal neurons, prelimbic cortex, alcohol use disorder risk
MeSH terms
Action Potentials, Ethanol, Animals, Central Nervous System Depressants, Disease Models, Animal, Male, Memory, Short-Term, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Prefrontal Cortex, Pyramidal Cells, Mice, Binge Drinking

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