Alcohol exposure induces cortical activity change during quiescent state

Abstract

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a significant global mental health issue that impacts both the central and peripheral systems, leading to widespread cognitive and motor dysfunctions. The primary motor cortex (M1) plays a critical role in motor planning, control, and execution, yet the effects of chronic alcohol exposure on M1 remain underexplored, particularly during quiescent states. This study investigates the functional changes in M1 due to chronic alcohol exposure using high-resolution Neuropixels electrode recordings in a mouse model. Our findings reveal alterations in neuronal firing mode, particularly in layer V, highlighting disruptions in the excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance. Despite similar overall firing rates, changes in firing interval distributions suggest altered temporal dynamics of neuronal activity due to alcohol exposure. These results align with existing literature on cortical disruptions caused by alcohol and provide new insights into the specific neuronal dynamics within M1, especially in quiescent states.