Modulation of α5 subunit-containing GABAA receptors alters alcohol drinking by rhesus monkeys.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Alcohol's ability to potentiate the activity of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at GABAA receptors has been implicated as a key mechanism underlying the behavioral effects of alcohol. The complex molecular biology of these receptors raises the possibility that particular receptor subtypes may play unique roles in alcohol's abuse-related effects and that subtype-selective ligands with therapeutic specificity against alcohol might be developed. This study evaluated the capacity of α5GABAA receptor ligands to alter selectively the reinforcing effects of alcohol.

Methods

Two groups of rhesus monkeys were trained to orally self-administer alcohol or sucrose under fixed-ratio schedules and limited daily access conditions. In addition, following daily self-administration sess

SUBMITTER: Ruedi-Bettschen D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3951841 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature