Melanin-Concentrating Hormone and Its MCH-1 Receptor: Relationship Between Effects on Alcohol and Caloric Intake.

Background: Reward and energy homeostasis are both regulated by a network of hypothalamic neuropeptide systems. The melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) and its MCH-1 receptor (MCH1-R) modulate alcohol intake, but it remains unknown to what extent this reflects actions on energy balance or reward. Here, we evaluated the MCH1-R in regulation of caloric intake and motivation to consume alcohol in states of escalated consumption.

Proinflammatory signaling regulates voluntary alcohol intake and stress-induced consumption after exposure to social defeat stress in mice.

Proinflammatory activity has been postulated to play a role in addictive processes and stress responses, but the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we examined the role of interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in regulation of voluntary alcohol consumption, alcohol reward and stress-induced drinking. Mice with a deletion of the IL-1 receptor I gene (IL-1RI KO) exhibited modestly decreased alcohol consumption.

The melanin-concentrating hormone-1 receptor modulates alcohol-induced reward and DARPP-32 phosphorylation.

Rationale: Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is involved in the regulation of food intake and has recently been associated with alcohol-related behaviors. Blockade of MCH-1 receptors (MCH1-Rs) attenuates operant alcohol self-administration and decreases cue-induced reinstatement, but the mechanism through which the MCH1-R influences these behaviors remains unknown. MCH1-Rs are highly expressed in the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh) where they are co-expressed with dopamine (DA) receptors.