Dynorphin-kappa opioid receptor activity in the central amygdala modulates binge-like alcohol drinking in mice.

ABSTRACT: Although previous research has demonstrated a role for kappa opioid receptor-mediated signaling in escalated alcohol consumption associated with dependence and stress exposure, involvement of the dynorphin/kappa opioid receptor (DYN/KOR) system in binge-like drinking has not been fully explored. Here we used pharmacological and chemogenetic approaches to examine the influence of DYN/KOR signaling on alcohol consumption in the drinking-in-the-dark (DID) model of binge-like drinking. Systemic administration of the KOR agonist U50,488 increased binge-like drinking (Experiment 1) while, conversely, systemic administration of the KOR antagonist nor-BNI reduced drinking in the DID model (Experiment 2). These effects of systemic KOR manipulation were selective for alcohol as neither drug influenc

SUBMITTER: Anderson RI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6461883 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature