Sex differences in the microglial response to stress and chronic alcohol exposure in mice.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Women are more susceptible to stress-induced alcohol drinking, and preclinical data suggest that stress can increase alcohol intake in female rodents; however, a comprehensive understanding of the neurobiological processes underlying this sex difference is still emerging. Neuroimmune signaling, particularly by microglia, the brain's macrophages, is known to contribute to dysregulation of limbic circuits following stress and alcohol exposure. Females exhibit heightened immune reactivity, so we set out to characterize sex differences in the microglial response to stress and alcohol exposure.

Methods

Male and female C57BL/6J mice were administered alcohol over 15 or 22 trials of a modified Drinking in the Dark paradigm, with repeated exposure to inescapable footshock

SUBMITTER: Soares AR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11881309 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature