EtOH also inhibits the function of AMPARs, and effects can be seen at concentrations as low as 10 mM (Akinshola 2001; Akinshola et al. 2003; Dildy-Mayfield and Harris 1992; Möykkynen et al. 2003; Nieber et al. 1998; Wirkner et al. 2000). In neurons from the brain, EtOH generally shows lower potency for inhibition of AMPARs in comparison to NMDARs (Frye and Fincher, 2000; Lovinger et al. 1989; Lovinger 1995). The EtOH sensitivity of recombinant AMPAR receptors is not greatly altered by changing the receptor subunit composition (Lovinger 1993), although the potency of EtOH is slightly higher for inhibition of GluR1-containing in contrast to GluR3-containing GluRs in X. laevis oocytes (Akinshola 2001). In addition, recombinant AMPA receptors containing GluRs 2 and 3 exhibit slightly decreased EtOH sensitivity in comparison to those containing GluRs1, 2, and 3 or 3 alone (Akinshola et al. 2003). Recent studies suggest that this EtOH action involves increased receptor desensitization (Möykkynen et al. 2003, 2009), and thus the drug has little impact on AMPAR-mediated synaptic responses at most synapses given that desensitization does not contribute to the
