Moderate prenatal alcohol exposure reduces plasticity and alters NMDA receptor subunit composition in the dentate gyrus

J Neurosci. 2013 Jan 16;33(3):1062-7. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1217-12.2013.

Abstract

Although it is well documented that heavy consumption of alcohol during pregnancy impairs brain development, it remains controversial whether moderate consumption causes significant damage. Using a limited access, voluntary consumption paradigm, we recently demonstrated that moderate prenatal alcohol exposure (MPAE) is associated with dentate gyrus-dependent learning and memory deficits that are manifested in adulthood. Here, we identified a novel mechanism that may underlie this effect of MPAE. We found that MPAE mice exhibit deficits in NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) in the dentate gyrus. Further, using semiquantitative immunoblotting techniques, we found that the levels of GluN2B subunits were decreased in the synaptic membrane, while levels of C2'-containing GluN1 and GluN3A subunits were increased, in the dentate gyrus of MPAE mice. These data suggest that MPAE alters the subunit composition of synaptic NMDARs, leading to impaired NMDAR-dependent LTP in the dentate gyrus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dentate Gyrus / drug effects*
  • Dentate Gyrus / metabolism
  • Ethanol / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Long-Term Potentiation / drug effects*
  • Mice
  • Neurons / drug effects*
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / metabolism*
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / metabolism*

Substances

  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Ethanol