Influence of nonsynaptic α1 glycine receptors on ethanol consumption and place preference.

Here, we used knock-in (KI) mice that have ethanol-insensitive alpha 1 glycine receptors (GlyRs) (KK385/386AA) to examine how alpha 1 GlyRs might affect binge drinking and conditioned place preference. Data show that tonic alpha 1 GlyR-mediated currents were exclusively sensitive to ethanol only in wild-type mice. Behavioral studies showed that the KI mice have a higher intake of ethanol upon first exposure to drinking and greater conditioned place preference to ethanol. This study suggests that nonsynaptic alpha 1-containing GlyRs have a role in motivational and early reinforcing effects of ethanol.