Potentiation by ethanol of GABA-induced current and facilitation of its desensitization in cultured rat cortical neurons

Abstract 1. 1. Patch-clamp whole cell recording was performed to elucidate whether or not ethanol, at low concentration, has an effect on the GABA A receptor in cultured rat cortical neurons as compared with flunitrazepam. 2. 2. Bath application of ethanol (0.01%) or flunitrazepam (1 mM) potentiated the peak amplitude of GABA-induced (10 μM) current without affecting the equilibrium potential. 3. 3. The decay time constant and time to peak of GABA-induced current were shortened in the presence of ethanol or flunitrazepam. 4. 4. These findings indicate that a low concentration of ethanol and flunitrazepam potentiates the GABA-induced current concomitantly with acceleration of desensitization to the drug.