The one-two punch of alcoholism: role of central amygdala dynorphins/kappa-opioid receptors.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The dynorphin (DYN)/kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) system undergoes neuroadaptations following chronic alcohol exposure that promote excessive operant self-administration and negative affective-like states; however, the exact mechanisms are unknown. The present studies tested the hypothesis that an upregulated DYN/KOR system mediates excessive alcohol self-administration that occurs during withdrawal in alcohol-dependent rats by assessing DYN A peptide expression and KOR function, in combination with site-specific pharmacologic manipulations.

Methods

Male Wistar rats were trained to self-administer alcohol using operant behavioral strategies and subjected to intermittent alcohol vapor or air exposure. Changes in self-administration were assessed by pharmacologic chal

SUBMITTER: Kissler JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3749293 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature