2004). CRHR1 receptor (but not CRHR2) antagonists blocked both CRH and ethanol effects in wild-type mice (Nie et al., 2004). These results suggest a pivotal role of CRHR1 receptor in modulating ethanol enhancement of GABAergic synaptic transmission in the central amygdala and lead us to consider a role for the CRHR1 gene in modulating the brain oscillations and in the predisposition to alcohol dependence. Our hypothesis was further supported by several studies (Brazdil et al., 1999; Watanabe et al., 2002) in intracranial ERPs, which demonstrated that amygdala is one of the major subcortical structures in the generation of P3 component of the ERP. Evidence indicates that dysregulation of the GABA neurotransmitter system may be involved in the development of alcohol dependence, including the fact that polymorphisms in genes encoding GABA receptor subunits have been shown to be associated with brain oscillations (endophenotypes related to alcohol dependence) as well as with the diagnosis of alcohol dependence (Dick et al., 2004; Edenberg et al., 2004; Porjesz et al., 2002, 2004). In addition, medications that target the GABAA receptor system, including benzodiazepines, are often used in the detoxification and treatment of patients who are prone to withdrawal after alcohol binge drinking (Kosten and
