Cortical integration of chronic stress and alcohol dependence: A possible role for KCa2 channels

Alcohol dependence produces altered responses to stress, which may further exacerbate excessive drinking. Growing evidence suggests small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (KCa2) channels have the ability to protect against anxiety and stress-related behaviors. Pharmacological manipulation or genetic depletion of KCa2 channels alters forced swim stress behavior and ethanol consumption after chronic stress exposure. Chronic exposure to forced swim stress (FSS), results in a stress-induced enhancement of voluntary ethanol consumption in mice with a history of alcohol exposure.

Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Audrey E. Padula, Reginald Cannady, Marcelo F. Lopez, Howard C. Becker, Patrick J. Mulholland Source Type: research