Disruption of Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity by Chronic Ethanol Exposure: A Narrative Review of Neurotoxic Adverse Outcome Pathways Publisher Pubmed



Seyedi F ; Hedayatimoghadam M ; Heidari M ; Golkar A ; Baghcheghi Y
Source: NeuroToxicology Published:2026

Abstract

Chronic is a major neurotoxicant that disrupts hippocampal synaptic plasticity, leading to persistent cognitive deficits. This narrative review maps the adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) through which ethanol impairs synaptic function, primarily via interconnected cascades: TLR4/NF-κB-mediated neuroinflammation (triggering microglial activation and pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β), CYP2E1-driven oxidative stress (generating ROS/RNS, 4-HNE, causing protein carbonylation and mitochondrial dysfunction), and glutamate excitotoxicity (mediated by GluN2B-NMDAR subunit shifts, Ca²⁺ overload, and astrocytic EAAT2/GLT-1 downregulation). These pathways converge to suppress BDNF/TrkB signaling (via miR-206 and impaired proBDNF cleavage), leading to deficits in synaptic protein synthesis (e.g., Arc) and trafficking (e.g., GluA1 endocytosis via STEP, impaired forward trafficking). Critically, these insults potentiate neuronal apoptosis through intrinsic (ROS/mitochondrial permeabilization, caspase-9/-3) and extrinsic (TNF-α/TNF-R1, caspase-8) pathways, executing irreversible synaptic loss via caspase-3 cleavage of PSD-95, spectrin, and cytoskeletal collapse. The structural consequences—dendritic simplification, reduced mature spine density, and PSD-95 nano-domain disorganization—manifest functionally as attenuated LTP, potentiated mGluR-LTD, and impaired STDP. This synaptic decay directly underpins cognitive impairments in pattern separation, contextual memory, and cognitive flexibility. Neuroinflammation (TLR4/NF-κB) acts as a central amplifier, linking oxidative damage, excitotoxicity, and BDNF collapse to apoptotic synaptic deletion. Future research must address dose-dependency, subfield vulnerability, epigenetic regulation, and therapeutic strategies targeting TLR4, TrkB, mitochondrial antioxidants, and anti-apoptotic pathways. © 2026 Elsevier B.V.