indicated that adult CIE could alter dendritic complexity in a subregion-specific manner, with a partial return to basal levels after protracted abstinence.178 Taken together these studies suggest that the PSD-95, and glutamate activity, may be more vulnerable to ethanol-induced changes during adolescence than during adulthood and that adolescent ethanol-induced changes in PSD-95 may interfere with the maturation of dendritic spines. Similarly, considerable evidence indicates a crucial role for Shank and Homer proteins in neuroplasticity as well as alcohol and drug dependence.86–89,179 For example, significant increases in both AcbCo and CeA Homer2a/b expression levels were seen 24 h after the removal of ethanol from chronically drinking P rats.180
