Loss of control over the ethanol consumption: differential transcriptional regulation in prefrontal cortex.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a complex multifactorial disease with heritability of ∼50% and corresponds to the state in which the body triggers a reinforcement or reward compulsive behavior due to ethanol consumption, even when faced with negative consequences. Although several studies have shown the impact of high ethanol intake on the prefrontal cortex (PFC) gene expression, few have addressed the relationship between the patterns of gene expression underlying the compulsive behaviour associated with relapsing. In this study, we used a chronic three-bottle free-choice mouse model to investigate the PFC transcriptome in three different groups of mice drinkers: 'Light drinkers' (preference for water throughout the experiment); 'Heavy drinkers' (preference for ethanol with a non-compulsive intake), and 'Inflexible drinkers' (preference for ethanol with a compulsive drinking component).

Inflexible ethanol intake: A putative link with the Lrrk2 pathway.

Alcoholism is a complex multifactorial disorder with a strong genetic influence. Although several studies have shown the impact of high ethanol intake on the striatal gene expression, few have addressed the relationship between the patterns of gene expression underlying the compulsive behaviour associated with the two major concerns in addiction: the excessive drug consumption and relapsing. In this study, we used a chronic three-bottle free-choice murine model to address striatal transcript regulation among animals with different ethanol intakes and preferences: Light Drinkers (preference for water throughout the experiment), Heavy Drinkers (preference for ethanol with a non-compulsive intake) and Inflexible Drinkers (preference for ethanol and simultaneous loss of control over the drug intake).

Development of a Computer-Based Format for the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) With University Students.

Background: The Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) is a reliable and valid tool for the early detection of harmful and hazardous drug use in primary care settings when administered by interview in the general population. In university students, substance use is high, so a reliable and feasible screening instrument is needed.

Objectives: To compare the computer-based ASSIST (ASSISTc) with the interview format (ASSISTi).

Reduction of ethanol intake by corticotropin-releasing factor receptor-1 antagonist in "heavy-drinking" mice in a free-choice paradigm.

Rationale: We hypothesized that the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system is hyperresponsive in animals with high ethanol intake, which exhibits a reduction of ethanol intake when administered with a CRF1 receptor antagonist.

Methods: Outbred Swiss mice were subjected to a long-term, three-bottle, free-choice paradigm (5 and 10 % [v/v] ethanol and water) that consisted of four phases: acquisition (AC; 10 weeks), withdrawal (W; 2 weeks), reexposure (RE; 2 weeks), and quinine-adulteration (AD; 2 weeks). Based on individual ethanol intake, the mice were classified into three groups: A group, preference for ethanol and persistently high consumption during AD phase; B group, preference for ethanol and a reduction of ethanol intake in the AD phase; and C group; preference for water during all phases.

Reducing substance involvement in college students: a three-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial of a computer-based intervention.

The prevalence of alcohol and other drug use is high among college students. Reducing their consumption will likely be beneficial for society as a whole. Computer and web-based interventions are promising for providing behaviorally based information.