Extended Amygdala to Ventral Tegmental Area Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Circuit Controls Binge Ethanol Intake.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) signaling at the CRF₁ receptor (CRF₁R) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) can modulate ethanol consumption in rodents. However, the effects of binge-like ethanol drinking on this system have not been thoroughly characterized, and little is known about the role of CRF₂R or the CRF neurocircuitry involved.

Methods

The effects of binge-like ethanol consumption on the VTA CRF system were assessed following drinking-in-the-dark procedures. Intra-VTA infusions of selective CRF₁R and/or CRF₂R compounds were employed to assess the contributions of these receptors in modulating binge-like ethanol consumption (n = 89). To determine the potential role of CRF projections from the bed

SUBMITTER: Rinker JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5010800 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature