The results with the Ingenuity® pathways analysis also support the interpretation that binge-alcohol drinking is increasing synaptic plasticity, as evidenced by the higher expression levels of genes involved in transcription and long-term-potentiation in the ethanol group (Table 3). However, in the ACB-shell, development of ethanol-induced long-term-potentiation appears to result from changes in genes mediating calcium-signaling and its interactions with NMDA1 and AMPA 1 receptors (Fig. 2), whereas, in the CeA, alterations in genes for 3 different types of AMPA receptors, 2 different types of kainate receptors, and GABAA receptors appear to be involved (Fig. 3).
