Alcohol dependence alters substance P/neurokinin 1 receptor signaling in the central nucleus of the amygdala
Substance P (SP)/neurokinin 1 (NK-1) receptor signaling is critically involved in alcoholism. In animal models, NK-1 receptor knockouts exhibit reduced ethanol consumption; in human detoxified alcoholics, NK-1 receptor antagonists suppress alcohol cravings. However, there are no studies on cellular alterations of SP/NK-1 receptor signaling induced by ethanol dependence. (Source: Alcohol)
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: S. Khom, K.C. Rice, M. Roberto Source Type: research
Oxytocin decreases central amygdala GABAergic signaling in na ïve but not alcohol dependent rats
Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are characterized by compulsive seeking and consumption of alcohol. AUDs have been linked to disruption of brain stress systems, as the transition to dependence recruits these systems leading to negative withdrawal states; the relief of which drives further drinking. The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) functions as a neuropeptidergic hub of stress and anxiety processing, and GABAergic signaling within the CeA is involved in the regulation of alcohol consumption. (Source: Alcohol)
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Dean Kirson, Michael Q. Steinman, Florence P. Varodayan, Christopher S. Oleata, Marisa Roberto Source Type: research
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)
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: A. Matzeu, R. Martin-Fardon Source Type: research
Binge-like alcohol exposure during adolescence has circuit specific effects on dopaminergic neurotransmission in the adult prefrontal cortex
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is critically involved in cognitive function and inhibitory control. Adolescence represents a critical period of continued development of this region that parallels the maturation of its cognitive function. This extended period of developmental plasticity is thought to render the PFC, and its underlying circuitry, especially vulnerable to environmental insults that may result in deficits that persist well into adulthood. Alcohol drinking typically begins during adolescence when consumption of large quantities, in binge-like episodic patterns, is common. (Source: Alcohol)
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Heather Trantham-Davidson, L. Judson Chandler Source Type: research
Alcohol dependence alters IL-1 regulation of GABA transmission in the mouse prelimbic cortex
Neuroimmune signaling is considered critical in the transition to alcohol dependence, as ethanol activates the neuroimmune system and cytokines modulate alcohol-related behaviors. In particular, ethanol-induced immune responses are hypothesized to alter neuronal communication in addiction-related brain regions, including the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). We have found that the neuroimmune interleukin-1 (IL-1) system decreases GABAergic input to layer II/III pyramidal neurons in the prelimbic mPFC (PrL) of naive and non-dependent mice, and these effects are reversed by ethanol dependence. (Source: Alcohol)
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: F.P. Varodayan, M.Q. Steinman, S.E. Montgomery, A.J. Roberts, M. Bajo, M. Roberto Source Type: research
Age-related effects of restraint stress on ethanol intake
Several work has suggested that adolescents may be significantly more sensitive to stress, and to ethanol-stress interactions, than adults. It is thus important to analyze stress-reactive drinking during adolescence and potential treatments to ameliorate it. Stress effects upon ethanol intake in animal rat models have been controversial, with studies indicating heightened, decreased or unaltered ethanol intake after stress. The present study analyzed the impact of chronic restraint stress (5 daily, 2h long, sessions) upon ethanol intake, assessed across two-weeks via intermittent, 18-h two bottle intake tests, in male and ...
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Aranza Wille-Bille, Ana Ferreyra, Martina Sciangula, Ricardo Pautassi Source Type: research
Chronic-plus-binge alcohol exposure impairs hematopoietic precursor cell activation during the granulopoietic response to bacteremia
Chronic-plus-binge alcohol consumption is harmful to health. To study the effect of chronic-plus-binge alcohol exposure on the granulopoietic response, acute alcohol intoxication [intraperitoneal injection of 20% alcohol at 5g alcohol/kg] was introduced to mice fed on the Lieber-DeCarli low fat liquid alcohol diet for 5 weeks. Bacteremia was induced by intravenous injection of Escherichia coli. Bacteremia caused a remarkable increase in marrow lin-c-kit+Sca-1+ cells (a population enriched with hematopoietic stem cells). (Source: Alcohol)
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Xin Shi, Yuan-Ping Lin, Ping Zhang Source Type: research
Retrieval of nicotine-associated memories from adolescence enhances alcohol intake in adulthood
Alcohol and nicotine are the two most commonly-abused substances and are often used together. Nicotine enhances alcohol-drinking behaviors in humans and in animal models, and has been suggested to enhance the reinforcing properties of other reinforcers. Here, we show that nicotine-associated environment, rather than nicotine itself, enhances alcohol intake in rats. Furthermore, re-exposure to the nicotine-associated context from adolescence alters the expression of the growth factor glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (Gdnf), a reduction previously shown to enhance alcohol intake and relapse. (Source: Alcohol)
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Dor Zipori, Yossi Sadot-Sogrin, Koral Goltseker, Oren Even-Chen, Ohad Shaham, Segev Barak Source Type: research
Post-retrieval extinction can attenuate recovery and reinstatement of conditioned reactivity to alcohol cues in Long-Evans rats
Conditioned reactivity to alcohol-associated cues contributes to relapse in alcohol use disorder. Cue exposure (extinction) therapy can reduce reactivity, but reactivity can endure. One idea for why this might happen is that response-inhibition learned during treatment may be encoded into a new memory that must later compete with existing response-exciting associative memories. However, it may be possible to update the original alcohol-related associative memory with response-inhibiting information by conducting treatment during reconsolidation of the memory —retrieval-induced de- and re-stabilization of the memory. (Source: Alcohol)
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Roberto U. Cofres í, Nadia Chaudhri, Hongjoo J. Lee, Marie H. Monfils, Rueben A. Gonzales Source Type: research
Acute and chronic effects of alcohol on autonomic function during sleep
Chronic and acute consumption of alcohol are associated with alterations in autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. Acute alcohol consumption leads to an immediate increase in heart rate and blood pressure and a reduction in vagal tone. Chronic heavy drinking in the context of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), is also associated with tonically elevated heart rate even when sober. Acute alcohol intoxication and AUD are also associated with dramatically disturbed sleep with common findings including increased wakefulness and likelihood of brief arousals throughout the night in AUD and in the second half of the night following dri...
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Ian M. Colrain, Christian L. Nicholas, Fiona C. Baker, Massimiliano de Zambotti Source Type: research
Multi-dimensional characterization of an alcohol dependence-prone phenotype in rats
In this study, we adapted the DSM-IV/5 based three-criteria model of cocaine addiction to study individual differences in alcohol dependence in rats. As a proof of concept, we used Marchigian Sardinian alcohol preferring (msP; n = 32) and non-preferring Wistar rats (n = 31) and we hypothesized that msP would develop dependence-like behaviour respect to Wistar. (Source: Alcohol)
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Domi Ana, Ciccocioppo Roberto, Cannella Nazzareno, Ubaldi Massimo Source Type: research
The novel kappa opioid receptor antagonist CERC-501 attenuates alcohol seeking and withdrawal anxiety
Considerable evidence suggests that kappa opioid receptors (KORs) and their endogenous ligand dynorphin (DYN), play an important role in stress responses, anxiety, depression and addiction related behaviors. In rats, the (DYN)/(KOR) system undergoes ethanol-induced neuroadaptations and results in excessive operant self-administration as well as negative affective-like states. Preclinical data show that JDTic, a selective KOR antagonist reduced alcohol drinking and cue induced reinstatement. More recently, CERC-501 (previously LY2456302), [(S)-3-fluoro-4-(4-((2-(3, 5-dimethylphenyl) pyrrolidin-1 yl) methyl) phenyl)benzamide...
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: E. Domi, D. Gehlert, E. Barbier, E. Augier, G. Augier, H. Malm, A.M.A. Aziz, A. Thorsell, M. Heilig Source Type: research
Stress and drinking to cope in recidivist DUI offenders
Individuals convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) have a 1 in 3 likelihood of re-offending. This high recidivism rate has prompted efforts to identify characteristics of recidivist offenders in order to tailor appropriate interventions to prevent repeat offenses. DUI offenders report elevated levels of stress and anxiety which could motivate alcohol use to reduce stress, adding to their perceived reward value of the drug. The present study examined the degree to which recidivist DUI offenders report stress-reduction as a primary motivation to drink (i.e., drinking to cope). (Source: Alcohol)
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Mark T. Fillmore Source Type: research
Family history density of alcoholism and blood pressure as moderators for drinking reduction in alcohol-dependent individuals treated with doxazosin
Background: The α1 receptor antagonist, prazosin has been shown to reduce Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms and studies have revealed that pre-treatment blood pressure (BP) predicts therapeutic response for prazosin in PTSD patients. Furthermore, targeting the norepinephrine system may be a favorable t reatment strategy since evidence demonstrates that prazosin may reduce drinking in alcohol dependent (AD) patients. We investigated how doxazosin, another α1 receptor antagonist with a more favorable pharmacokinetic profile than prazosin, would be moderated by family history density (FHDA) and BP. (Source: Alcohol)
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: K. Goodyear, C.L. Haass-Koffler, W.H. Zywiak, M. Magill, P.M. Wallace, R.M. Swift, G.A. Kenna, L. Leggio Source Type: research
Age related differences in anxiety-like behavior and amygdalar CCL2 responsiveness to stress following alcohol withdrawal
Behavioral and neuroimmune vulnerability to withdrawal from chronic alcohol varies with age. Adolescent and adult rats were exposed to CIA (chronic intermittant alcohol; three 5-day blocks of dietary alcohol separated by 2 days of withdrawal) at concentrations that created similar blood alcohol levels across age. Twenty-four hours into the final withdrawal, half of the rats were exposed to 1 h of restraint stress. Four hours post-stress, rats were used for behavior or tissue assays. Anxiety-like behavior was increased versus controls by CIA in adolescents and by CIA+stress in adults. (Source: Alcohol)
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Kathryn M. Harper, Darin J. Knapp, Meredith A. Park, George R. Breese Source Type: research
