Gender-selective effects of ethanol dependence on NMDA receptor subunit expression in cerebral cortex, hippocampus and hypothalamus

Previous investigations have shown subunit-selective alterations in NMDA re ceptors in ethanol dependent male rats. In the present study, we found pron ounced gender differences in the effects of ethanol dependence on NMDA rece ptor subunit expression in all brain regions investigated. Ethanol dependen t female rats exhibited increased NR1 subunit levels in cerebral cortex and hypothalamus, whereas males displayed increased NR1 levels only in hippoca mpus. NR2A subunit levels were significantly increased only in hippocampus from ethanol dependent male rats, whereas NR2B subunit levels significantly increased in cerebral cortex of both female and male rats. These findings suggest that gender influences neuroadaptations elicited by ethanol depende nce at the level of NMDA receptor subunit expression. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sci ence B.V. All rights reserved.