short 3′-UTR of Bdnf RNA is restricted to neuronal somata, while a long form of the 3′-UTR is trafficked to the dendrites where it can act upon spine morphology and synaptic transmission (An et al., 2008). Local translation of BDNF, delivered via a long form of the 3′-UTR, can modulate GABAergic transmission (Waterhouse et al., 2012), a well-characterized neurotransmitter system targeted by alcohol and other drugs of abuse (Davies et al., 2003; Harris, Trudell, & Mihic, 2008; Kauer & Malenka, 2007).
