Dopamine receptor agonists modulate voluntary alcohol intake independently of individual levels of alcohol intake in rats.

Rationale: Individual susceptibility to alcohol use disorder has been related to functional changes in dopaminergic neurotransmission.

Objectives: The aim of the current work was to assess the effects of selective dopamine D1 and D2 receptor agonists and antagonists on alcohol consumption in rats that differ in individual levels of alcohol intake.

Methods: The effects of the dopamine D1 receptor agonist SKF 82958, the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390, the dopamine D2 receptor agonist sumanirole and the dopamine D2 receptor antagonist L741,626 on alcohol consumption and preference were assessed at different time points after treatment in subgroups of low and high alcohol drinking rats (LD and HD) using an intermittent alcohol access paradigm.

Individual Variation in Alcohol Intake Predicts Reinforcement, Motivation, and Compulsive Alcohol Use in Rats.

Background: Alcohol is one of the most commonly used psychoactive substances. Prolonged alcohol use can result in alcohol use disorder (AUD), characterized by excessive and compulsive alcohol consumption. Importantly, however, the development of AUD only happens in a minority of individuals who consume alcohol.

Early social isolation augments alcohol consumption in rats.

There is a considerable degree of individual vulnerability for alcohol use disorder (AUD) as only a subpopulation of individuals who regularly consume alcohol develop AUD. It is therefore very important to understand the factors and mechanisms that contribute towards the individual risk for AUD. In this respect, social influences, in particular during development, may be relevant for AUD as disruptions in early social experiences are associated with an increased risk for AUD.