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Concentration-dependent effects of acute and chronic ethanol on C. elegans micro-circuits and behaviour
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Dillon, James, Mitchell, Philippa, Bull, Kate, Andrianakis, Ioannis, James, C. J., Glautier, Steve, O'Connor, Vincent and Holden-Dye, Lindy (2008) Concentration-dependent effects of acute and chronic ethanol on C. elegans micro-circuits and behaviour. In: Synaptic Function and Behaviour of C. Elegans Topic Meeting #2, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, U.S.A., July, 2008. Published in: Synaptic Function and Behaviour of C. Elegans Topic Meeting #2, Poster Abstracts p. 81.
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Official URL: http://www.union.wisc.edu/CeNeuro/CEN%20Posters.pd...
Abstract
The concentration dependence of the acute and chronic effects of alcohol represents a complex interacting response involving the modification of gene expression, proteins and membranes. However, the concerted manner by which these interactions, with overlapping concentration dependence, co-ordinate neuro-adaptive behaviours are poorly understood. We are utilising the nervous system of C. elegans, in particular functional investigation of defined micro-circuits, to gain insight into the neural substrates of alcohol dependence. In doing so
we are applying both electrophysiological and behavioural assays to wild type and mutant animals in combination with novel methods of semi-automated analysis techniques. Electropharyngeogram (EPG) recording from a semi-intact preparation of the C. elegans pharynx provides an opportunity to probe the acute effects of ethanol upon the activity of a simple, anatomically defined micro-circuit. We have identified the network activity of the pharyngeal nervous system is modulated by ethanol in a concentration-dependent manner. Excitation of the pharyngeal network was recorded in the presence of ethanol concentrations equivalent to mammalian intoxication levels (1-20mM), and inhibition at supra-intoxicating concentrations (>100mM), hence allowing us to determine effectors of acute ethanol across a range of concentrations. In addition we can observe a withdrawal response in animals that have undergone a chronic pre-exposure to ethanol, and withdrawal relief in acute low doses (10mM) of ethanol. We are currently probing the specificity of the pharyngeal response to ethanol using alcohols with increasing carbon chain length. In combination with electrophysiological analysis we have developed a behavioural assay that enables us to probe the basis of the neuro-adaptation that occurs upon chronic ethanol exposure at the level of the intact nervous system. We can demonstrate withdrawal and relief from withdrawal using this assay. In addition we are currently investigating the temporal dynamics and concentration dependence of this neural plasticity. We intend to apply the automated behavioural analysis technique we have developed to quantify subtle locomotory responses at low doses of ethanol, which have been shown to alter pharyngeal activity.
Item Type: | Conference Item (Poster) | ||||
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Subjects: | Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA76 Electronic computers. Computer science. Computer software Q Science > QL Zoology R Medicine > R Medicine (General) |
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Divisions: | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Engineering > WMG (Formerly the Warwick Manufacturing Group) | ||||
Journal or Publication Title: | Synaptic Function and Behaviour of C. Elegans Topic Meeting #2, Poster Abstracts | ||||
Official Date: | 2008 | ||||
Dates: |
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Page Range: | p. 81 | ||||
Status: | Not Peer Reviewed | ||||
Publication Status: | Published | ||||
Access rights to Published version: | Open Access (Creative Commons) | ||||
Funder: | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (Great Britain) (BBSRC) | ||||
Conference Paper Type: | Poster | ||||
Title of Event: | Synaptic Function and Behaviour of C. Elegans Topic Meeting #2 | ||||
Type of Event: | Other | ||||
Location of Event: | University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, U.S.A. | ||||
Date(s) of Event: | July, 2008 |
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