Synopsis of recent research by authors named "Mary H Durfee"
- Mary H Durfee's recent research primarily investigates the role of cholinergic mu-opioid receptors (MORs) in alcohol consumption and reward behavior, particularly focusing on how the genetic deletion of these receptors affects self-administration of alcohol in mice.
- The studies employ home cage self-administration paradigms to reveal that MORs in cholinergic interneurons significantly influence both reward preference and resistance to aversion associated with alcohol.
- Findings from the two studies suggest that targeting specific MOR populations may offer new insights into the mechanisms underlying alcohol use disorder (AUD), which is exacerbated by heavy alcohol use and binge drinking behaviors.
