Kappa opioid receptor and dynorphin signaling in the central amygdala regulates alcohol intake.

ABSTRACT: Excessive alcohol drinking has been shown to modify brain circuitry to predispose individuals for future alcohol abuse. Previous studies have implicated the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) as an important site for mediating the somatic symptoms of withdrawal and for regulating alcohol intake. In addition, recent work has established a role for both the Kappa Opioid Receptor (KOR) and its endogenous ligand dynorphin in mediating these processes. However, it is unclear whether these effects are due to dynorphin or KOR arising from within the CeA itself or other input brain regions. To directly examine the role of preprodynorphin (PDYN) and KOR expression in CeA neurons, we performed region-specific conditional knockout of these genes and assessed the effects on the Drinking in the Dark

SUBMITTER: Bloodgood DW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8124770 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature