Ethanol-Induced Suppression of G Protein–Gated Inwardly Rectifying K⁺–Dependent Signaling in the Basal Amygdala

Background: The basolateral amygdala (BLA) regulates mood and associative learning and has been linked to the development and persistence of alcohol use disorder. The GABA_BR (gamma-aminobutyric acid B receptor) is a promising therapeutic target for alcohol use disorder, and previous work suggests that exposure to ethanol and other drugs can alter neuronal GABA_BR-dependent signaling. The effect of ethanol on GABA_BR-dependent signaling in the BLA is unknown. Methods: GABA_BR-dependent signaling in the mouse BLA was examined using slice electrophysiology following repeated ethanol exposure. Neuron-specific viral genetic manipulations were then used to understand the relevance of ethanol-induced neuroadaptations in the basal amygdala subregion (BA) to mood-related behavior. Results: The somatodendritic inhibitory effect of GABA_BR activation on principal neurons in the basal but not the lateral subregion of the BLA was diminished following ethanol exposure. This adaptation was attributable to the suppression of GIRK (G protein–gated inwardly rectifying K⁺) channel activity and was mirrored by a redistribution of GABA_BR and GIRK channels from the surface membrane to internal sites. While GIRK1 and GIRK2 subunits are critical for GIRK channel formation in BA principal neurons, GIRK3 is necessary for the ethanol-induced neuroadaptation. Viral suppression of GIRK channel activity in BA principal neurons from ethanol-naïve mice recapitulated some mood-related behaviors observed in C57BL/6J mice during ethanol withdrawal. Conclusions: The ethanol-induced suppression of GIRK-dependent signaling in BA principal neurons contributes to some of the mood-related behaviors associated with ethanol withdrawal in mice. Approaches designed to prevent this neuroadaptation and/or strengthen GIRK-dependent signaling may prove useful for the treatment of alcohol use disorder.