The present study did not test whether deficits in GABAergic receptor function are responsible for the lower energy in the evoked frontal alpha/beta band observed in the 0 to 50 ms, 50 to 350 ms and 350 to 800 ms time windows in B6 mice, compared to D2 mice. However, there is evidence suggesting that deficits in GABAergic receptors are associated with beta oscillations and with an increased risk for developing alcohol dependence. For instance, inhibitory GABAergic interneurons may play an important role generating high-frequency EEG rhythms such as beta and gamma oscillations (Whittington et al., 2000). Evidence from human studies suggests deficits in GABA/benzodizepine receptors in the brains of individuals at risk for alcohol dependence (Volkow et al., 1995). Consistent with these findings, Porjesz and colleagues reported significant linkage and linkage disequilibrium between a GABAA receptor gene on chromosome 4 and beta oscillations (Porjesz et al., 2002). Moreover, a GABAA receptor gene encoding the alpha-2 subunit has also been associated with beta oscillations and DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of alcohol dependence (Edenberg et al., 2004). Studies have also shown that gamma
