Social isolation stress increases kappa opioid receptor function on dopamine terminals in the nucleus accumbens of rats

Adverse social experiences, especially during adolescence, increase the risk of developing alcohol use disorders during adulthood in humans. Similarly, rats reared in social isolation during adolescence show greater ethanol intake in adulthood compared to group housed controls. Acute stress elevates dynorphin levels, a kappa opioid receptor (KOR) ligand, which regulates dopamine. Activation of KORs inhibits DA release in the NAc. The NAc plays an integral role in the neurobiology of stress, anxiety, and reward-seeking behavior.
Source: Alcohol - Category: Addiction Authors: Source Type: research