Sex differences and the lack of effects of chemogenetic manipulation of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons on alcohol consumption in male and female mice.

ABSTRACT: The endogenous opioid system has been implicated in the rewarding and reinforcing effects of alcohol. Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons located within the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ArcN) secrete multiple peptides associated with alcohol consumption, including β-endorphin (β-END), α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). In this study, we utilized chemogenetics to bidirectionally modulate ArcN POMC neurons to determine their role in alcohol and saccharin consumption and regional levels of POMC-derived peptides. Male and female POMC-cre mice were infused with viral vectors designed for cre-dependent expression of either excitatory and inhibitory DREADDs or a control vector into the ArcN. Following recovery, animals were allowed to consume

SUBMITTER: Leyrer-Jackson JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9126074 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature