Early life adversity increases striatal dopamine D1 receptor density and promotes social alcohol drinking in mice, especially males.

ABSTRACT: The brain's reward circuitry remains sensitive to experience throughout early life and into adulthood, allowing individuals to adapt to their unique environments. Adverse experiences early in life can increase vulnerability to substance use disorders, likely through alterations to this circuitry. Yet, the precise neurobiological mechanisms by which early life adversity acts are incompletely characterized. In this study, we used a limited bedding and nesting (LBN) paradigm as a translationally relevant model of early life adversity in genetically-identical C57BL/6J mice. After LBN-rearing, we assess the lasting behavioral and neurobiological impacts of this experience in adulthood. In robust sample sizes, our results validated previous findings of increased risk avoidance, enhanced acute re

SUBMITTER: Anderson LG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12642594 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature