Exogenous hypocretin administration in the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus precipitates ethanol-seeking behavior in rats

Growing evidence implicates a role for hypocretin (Hcrt) neurons that originate in the lateral hypothalamus (LH) and project to the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) in drug addiction. Although this thalamic region has not traditionally been thought of as part of the drug addiction circuitry, recent evidence indicates that the PVT modulates reward function in general and drug-directed behavior in particular. We recently found that the Hcrt system is recruited to a greater extent by drugs of abuse than by natural non-drug reinforcers and that Hcrt transmission in the PVT is engaged during cocaine-seeking behavior.
Source: Alcohol - Category: Addiction Authors: Source Type: research