Reduced effect of NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist on ethanol-induced ataxia and striatal glutamate levels in mice lacking ENT1

Alcohol-sensitive type 1 equilibrative nucleotide transporter (ENT1) is known to regulate glutamate signaling in the striatum as well as ethanol intoxication. However, it was unclear whether altered extracellular glutamate levels in ENT1−/− mice contribute to ethanol-induced behavioral changes. Here we report that altered glutamate signaling in ENT1−/− mice is implicated in the ethanol-induced locomotion and ataxia by NMDA receptor antagonist, CGP37849. ENT1−/− mice appear less intoxicated following sequential treatment with CGP37849 and ethanol, compared to ENT1+/+ littermates on the rotarod. These results indicate that inhibiting NMDA glutamate receptors is critical to regulate the response and susceptibility of alcohol related behaviors. Interestingly, a microdialysis experiment showed that the ventral striatum of ENT1−/− mice is less sensitive to the glutamate-reducing effect of the NMDA receptor antagonist compared to the dorsal striatum. Our findings suggest that differential glutamate neurotransmission in the striatum regulates ethanol intoxication.