Adaptations in basal and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-mediated deoxycorticosterone responses following ethanol self-administration in cynomolgus monkeys

Acute ethanol activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, while long-term exposure results in a dampened neuroendocrine state, particularly with regards to the primary endpoint, cortisol. However, it is unknown if this dampened neuroendocrine status also influences other adrenocortical steroids. Plasma levels of the mineralocorticoid and neuroactive steroid precursor deoxycorticosterone (DOC) are altered by pharmacological challenges of the HPA axis in cynomolgus monkeys. The present study is an extensive investigation of the mechanisms related to HPA axis activation that regulate DOC concentration over the course of ethanol (4% w/v) induction and self-administration in non-human primates.

Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Vanessa A. Jimenez, Patrizia Porcu, A. Leslie Morrow, Kathleen A. Grant Source Type: research