Effects of oxytocin on stress-induced reinstatement of alcohol-seeking in mice with and without a history of stress

Recently, the central oxytocin (OXT) system has emerged as a potential therapeutic target for alcohol use disorders. Here, we examined the effects of OXT treatment on stress-induced reinstatement of ethanol-seeking behavior and the ability of prior stress to sensitize this response, using a model of chronic stress induced by the predator odor, trimethylthiazoline (TMT). Adult C57BL6/J mice were trained to orally self-administer ethanol (12% v/v) under a fixed ratio operant schedule. After stable baseline ethanol responding and intake was established, mice were exposed to 1% TMT in saline for 15 mins for five consecutive days.

Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: C.E. King, J.F. McGinty, H.C. Becker Source Type: research