Alcohol consumption preferentially activates a subset of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) producing neurons targeting the amygdala.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Alcohol abuse is a worldwide public health concern and leads to an estimated 90,000 alcohol-related deaths in the United States annually. Alcohol may promote its euphoric and motivational effects, in part, by activating the endogenous opioid system. Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) producing neurons located within the arcuate nucleus (ArcN) of the hypothalamus make up one circuit of the endogenous opioid system, and heavily projects to reward-related brain areas such as the amygdala, nucleus accumbens (NAc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA). POMC producing neurons release β-endorphin and other peptides that target opioid receptors within reward areas to elicit their associated rewarding effects. Here we explore ArcN POMC neuronal activation, as assessed via FosB expression, fo

SUBMITTER: Leyrer-Jackson JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8475285 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature