TY - JOUR T1 - Low Ethanol Concentrations Selectively Augment the Tonic Inhibition Mediated by δ Subunit-Containing GABA<sub>A</sub> Receptors in Hippocampal Neurons JF - The Journal of Neuroscience JO - J. Neurosci. SP - 8379 LP - 8382 DO - 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2040-04.2004 VL - 24 IS - 38 AU - Weizheng Wei AU - Leonardo Coutinho Faria AU - Istvan Mody Y1 - 2004/09/22 UR - http://www.jneurosci.org/content/24/38/8379.abstract N2 - In central neurons, a tonic conductance is activated by ambient levels of the inhibitory transmitter GABA. Here, we show that in dentate gyrus granule cells, where tonic inhibition is mediated by δ subunit-containing GABAA receptors, this conductance is augmented by low concentrations (30 mm) of ethanol. In contrast, the tonic inhibition mediated by α5 subunit-containing receptors of CA1 pyramidal cells is not affected. The effect of ethanol on tonic inhibition specifically reduces the excitability of the dentate gyrus and identifies the δ subunit-dependent tonic inhibition as a likely site of ethanol action in the brain. ER -