The effect of dopamine D4 receptor density on novelty seeking, activity, social interaction, and alcohol binge drinking in adult mice

In conclusion, our data suggest that the dopamine D4 receptor gene has an important role in increased exploratory and anxiolytic behavior only in males and these behaviors were positively correlated with increased alcohol consumption. This interaction between sex hormones and dopamine D4 receptor genotype/function predicting future alcohol abuse and correlation with anxiolytic and exploratory behavior in male mice could have important implications for better understanding of vulnerabilities associated with addiction. Synapse, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. The authors show a significant positive correlation between alcohol consumption and anxiolytic behavior as measured by time spent in the center of an open field, a well‐established measure for anxiety, in male mice lacking the D4 receptor. This finding is only seen in male mice and suggest that the D4 receptor is important for regulating anxiolytic behavior in males only.
Source: Synapse - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Research Article Source Type: research