Anxious to Drink: Gabapentin Normalizes GABAergic Transmission in the Central Amygdala and Reduces Symptoms of Ethanol Dependence

Rats having no previous experience with alcohol (nondependent) show “normal” levels of GABAergic transmission, as measured by the amplitude of IPSCs in the central amygdala. This is reflected in normal levels of anxiety and moderate ethanol drinking. In nondependent rats, gabapentin increases GABA transmission (increased IPSC amplitude), yet has no significant effect on behavior. In contrast, rats continuously exposed to ethanol (ethanol-dependent) have increased baseline levels of GABA transmission, display higher levels of anxiety, and consume more ethanol during acute withdrawal. Significantly, gabapentin in ethanol-dependent rats normalizes GABA transmission (i.e., reduces IPSCs to levels similar to nondependent rats at baseline), relieves the highly anxious state, and reduces ethanol consumption during withdrawal.