Increased Ethanol Consumption and Locomotion Develop upon Ethanol Deprivation in Rats Overexpressing the Adenosine (A) Receptor.

Preclinical data indicate that ethanol produces behavioral effects that can be regulated by many neurotransmitters and neuromodulators like adenosine (A). The most important receptors with respect to the rewarding effects of ethanol seem to be the A receptors. This study used a transgenic strategy, specifically rats overexpressing the A receptor, to characterize the neurobiological mechanisms of ethanol consumption as measured by intermittent access to 20% ethanol in a two-bottle choice paradigm.