Systemic and site-specific inactivation of the kappa opioid receptor system reduces binge-like drinking and stress-enhanced ethanol consumption in dependent C57BL/6J mice

Stressful experiences can exacerbate alcohol use disorders by promoting the transition from casual alcohol (ethanol) consumption to dependence and by triggering relapse in abstinent alcoholics. Our laboratory has developed a preclinical model of stress-enhanced drinking in ethanol dependent mice. Specifically, daily forced swim stress 4 hr prior to voluntary access to 15% ethanol results in an elevation of ethanol consumption in mice exposed to chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) vapor, but not in non-dependent control mice.

Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: R.I. Anderson, H.L. Haun, W.C. Griffin, H.C. Becker Source Type: research