the differences in total neurite area (p = 0.98, Fig. 5A.d), GIRK2 puncta counts (p = 0.46, Fig. 5B.a), excitation following current injection (p = 0.32, Fig. 5E.a), step- (p = 0.48, Fig. 5E.b), and ramp- (p = 0.95, Fig. 5E.d) induced APs. Membrane capacitance was slightly but significantly reduced in the IEE AF group (p = 9.6 × 10–9, Fig. 5D.a). Other measurements were unchanged, again indicating that the cultured neurons exhibited similar differentiation properties. Results are consistent with the interpretation that neurite and excitability differences correlate with reduced GIRK2 expression, and that ethanol increases expression of GIRK2, reversing these effects.
