Does voluntary ethanol intake enhance excitatory synaptic strength in the ventral tegmental area?
Our results suggest that postsynaptic AMPAR function in VTA neurons was significantly enhanced after ethanol self-administration. As increased VTA AMPAR function can significantly regulate firing and enhance the reinforcing and activating effects of drugs of abuse, the increased AMPAR activity observed here may facilitate the drive to consume ethanol.
OSAHS in children is associated with delayed growth, maxillofacial malformations, impaired cognitive functions, abnormalities in lipid metabolism, and changes in pulmonary artery pressures. PS children also have higher incidence of maxillofacial malformations but have a normal growth and normal cognitive functions.