Role of polyamines and NMDA receptors in ethanol dependence and withdrawal

This article represents the proceedings of a symposium at the 2000 ISBRA Me eting in Yokohama, Japan. The chair was John M. Littleton. The presentation s were (1) Examination of ethanol spermine and acamprosate actions on nativ e and recombinant NMDA receptors, by David Lovinger; (2) Ethanol inhibition of NMDA neurotoxicity on the polyamine site in cerebellar granule cells, b y Sture Liljequist: (3) Alterations in expression of NMDA receptor subunits during ethanol exposure and withdrawal, by Raj Ticku; (4) Alterations in p olyamine synthesis and release as a potential mechanism for ethanol depende nce and withdrawal, by Izuru Matsumoto; (5) The role of polyamines in neuro toxicity induced by alcohol withdrawal in vitro, by John Littleton; and (6) Agmatine reduces some of the affects of "third trimester" alcohol exposure using a rodent model, by Susan Barren.