Alcohol impacts many aspects of neuronal communication, including synaptic transmission, ion channels and intracellular signaling cascades. Synaptic transmission is a sensitive substrate for ethanol actions (Siggins et al., 2005). GABAergic transmission is affected by alcohol in several brain structures and contributes to the behavioral effects of alcohol as well as the development of alcohol dependence (Koob, 2004; Siggins et al., 2005; Weiner and Valenzuela, 2006). The central amygdala (CeA) plays a critical role in alcohol dependence (Davis et al., 1994; Koob, 2008) and behavioral studies have implicated CeA GABAergic transmission in the regulation of alcohol intake (Hyytia and Koob, 1995; Koob, 2003). In ex vivo recordings from CeA slices, ethanol increases GABAergic transmission by acting principally at a presynaptic site to augment GABA release (Nie et al., 2004; Roberto et al., 2003).
