Ethanol withdrawal is accompanied by downregulation of calcium channel alpha 1B subunit in rat inferior colliculus neurons

Ethanol withdrawal enhances the current density of calcium (Ca2+) channels in inferior colliculus (IC) neurons. The present report shows that ethanol withdrawal markedly enhanced the susceptibility to seizures as it decreased significantly the protein levels of α1B subunit associated with N-type Ca2+ channel in IC neurons of animals not tested for seizures. Thus, remodeling of N-type Ca2+ channels may play an important role in neuronal hyperexcitability that leads to ethanol withdrawal seizures.