# Expression of GDAP1 Gene Correlates With Alcohol Deprivation Effect

## TL;DR

This study shows that GDAP1 gene expression in the hippocampus is linked to alcohol deprivation effects and may contribute to alcohol dependence.

## Contribution

The study identifies a novel correlation between GDAP1 gene expression in the hippocampus and the alcohol deprivation effect in rats.

## Key findings

- GDAP1 mRNA expression is significantly lower in rats with high alcohol deprivation effect.
- The decrease in GDAP1 expression is specifically observed in the cornu ammonis 3 (CA3) region of the hippocampus.
- GDAP1 expression negatively correlates with alcohol deprivation effect across all animals.

## Abstract

Alcohol addiction is a widespread disease, and the exact causes and consequences are still not fully determined. Neurotransmitters and neuronal circuits are not only the target structure of alcohol and responsible for its direct effects but also play a central role in the development of addiction. A gene that has been linked to alcohol use disorder in recent studies is the ganglioside‐induced differentiation‐associated protein 1 (GDAP1) gene. The present study focuses on the hippocampus, a brain region particularly vulnerable to alcohol and rich in Gdap1 gene expression. Using an established drinking model, alcohol drinking behavior was induced in adult male Long Evans rats. After 6 weeks of voluntary alcohol intake, followed by 2 weeks of deprivation, the animals were divided into two groups based on the alcohol deprivation effect (ADE). Gdap1 gene expression was measured with real‐time PCR in the hippocampus. Results reveal significantly decreased mRNA expression in the high ADE group compared to the low ADE group. This decrease was specifically detected within the cornu ammonis 3 (CA3) region. Gdap1 expression in this region also negatively correlated with ADE in all animals. Taken together, results indicate that Gdap1 might not only be associated with alcohol consumption but might even play a role in alcohol dependence.

After 6 weeks of alcohol acquisition, male mice underwent alcohol deprivation for 2 weeks. Afterwards, the alcohol deprivation effect (ADE) was measured, and animals were divided into two groups accordingly. The group with low ADU significantly differed in GDAP1 mRNA expression in the hippocampus compared to the high ADU group.