The involvement of GABA-rho receptors in regulating ethanol-induced elevation of dopamine, glycine and taurine within the nucleus accumbens of Wistar rats

Local perfusion with either the GABA-rho receptor antagonist TPMPA or the GlyR antagonist strychnine prior to ethanol administration significantly reduced the ethanol-induced increase in dopamine levels. These findings suggest that both GlyRs and GABA-rho receptors are involved in mediating the dopamine-elevating effect of ethanol. In addition, a significant attenuation of the ethanol-induced glycine and taurine elevation was observed following both pretreatment with TPMPA and strychnine, whilst only GlyR blockade inhibited the acamprosate-induced increase of dopamine. Unlike strychnine, TPMPA alone did not alter dopamine levels, suggesting that GABA-rho receptors display features that distinguish them from GlyR. In conclusion, GABA-rho receptors regulate ethanol-induced dopamine and glycine/taurine levels within the nAc without affecting basal dopamine neurotransmission, suggesting their potential as a pharmacological target for the treatment of AUD.