Corticosterone Enhances the Potency of Ethanol Against Hippocampal Long-Term Potentiation via Local Neurosteroid Synthesis

The study found that corticosterone enhanced the potency of ethanol in blocking long-term potentiation (LTP) in rat hippocampal slices by promoting local neurosteroid synthesis. While corticosterone or ethanol alone did not inhibit LTP, their combination completely blocked its induction. This effect was linked to neurosteroid synthesis, as it was prevented by finasteride, an inhibitor of neurosteroid synthesis. The findings suggested that corticosterone could increase the impact of ethanol on synaptic plasticity, which is essential for learning and memory, highlighting the role of neurosteroids in modulating ethanol's effects on the brain.