Microdialysis of norepinephrine in prefrontal cortex and ventral striatum and effects of ethanol in the Long Evans rat

The catecholamines of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) are involved in a number of functions including memory, attention, decision making, executive function, and reward. Ethanol alters these functions, in part, by targeting the dopaminergic system. We previously reported an increase in mPFC dopamine, using microdialysis, after acute and self-administration of ethanol. Whether these observations extend to norepinephrine, the primary neurotransmitter involved in stress remains to be established.

Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Saul Jaime, Ashley Vena, Rueben A. Gonzales Source Type: research