Altered communication of mPFC neuronal networks in postdependent rats state

Despite its limited immediate reinforcement value, alcohol has a potent ability to induce neuroadaptations that promote its increased incentive salience, escalation of voluntary alcohol intake and aversion resistant alcohol seeking. A constellation of these traits, collectively called “post-dependent”, emerges following brain exposure to repeated cycles of intoxication and withdrawal, and likely comprises a “relapse-prone” state of brain networks. We have demonstrated that the post-dependent syndrome in rats is associated with lasting reprogramming of transcriptional acti vity and function in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a brain region that exerts top-down regulation of approach and avoidance behaviors, including those that lead to alcohol intake.

Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Wolfgang H. Sommer Source Type: research