Adolescent binge ethanol did not cause any change COMT gene expression at P38. Although there was a non-significant developmental reduction in controls (29% reduction, p=0.24), adolescent binge treatment resulted in a 64% significant decrease in COMT mRNA expression in P88 adults (Table 1, Fig 4 **p<0.01 t-test). Similar developmental effects were observed with two other genes associated with the dopaminergic system, dopamine receptors D1a and D2. Thus, although alcohol showed no immediate effect on COMT, dopamine D1a or D2 expression, the developmental trajectories were altered resulting in persistent reduced expression in adults. Therefore, adolescent binge ethanol treatment alters neurotransmitter-specific gene developmental trajectories, contributing to persistent changes in adult neurotransmitter gene expression.
