The ethanol metabolite acetic acid activates mouse nucleus accumbens shell medium spiny neurons

Abstract

Ethanol consumption disrupts many neurophysiological processes leading to alterations in behavior and physiological function. The possible involvement of acetic acid, produced via ethanol metabolism, has been insufficiently explored. Here, we demonstrate that acetic acid contributes to rapid neurophysiological alterations in the accumbens shell. These findings raise the interesting possibility that ethanol may serve as a prodrug—generating acetic acid as a metabolite—that may influence ethanol consumption-associated behaviors and physiological responses by altering neurophysiological function.