κ-Opioid receptors (KORs) and their endogenous ligand dynorphin are involved in stress-induced alcohol seeking but the mechanisms involved are largely unknown. We previously showed that systemic injections of the KOR agonist U50,488, which induce stress-like aversive states, reinstate alcohol seeking after extinction of the alcohol-reinforced responding. Here, we used the neuronal activity marker Fos and site-specific injections of the KOR antagonist nor-BNI and U50,488 to study brain mechanisms of U50,488-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking. We trained male Long-Evans rats to self-administer alcohol (12% w/v) for 23-30 days. After extinction of the alcohol-reinforced responding, we tested the effect of U50,488 (0, 1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg) on reinstatement of alcohol seeking. Next, we correlated regional Fos expression with reinstatement induced by the most effective U50,488 dose (5 mg/kg). Based on the correlational Fos results, we determined the effect of bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) injections of nor-BNI (4 μg/side) on U50,488-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking, and reinstatement induced by injections of U50,488 (0, 0.3, 1, and 3 μg/side) into the BNST. U50,488-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking was associated with increased Fos expression in multiple brain areas, including the BNST, where it was significantly correlated with lever pressing. U50,488-induced reinstatement was blocked by BNST nor-BNI injections, and BNST U50,488 injections partially mimicked the drug's systemic effect on reinstatement. Our data indicate that the BNST is a critical site for U50,488-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking and suggest that KOR/dynorphin mechanisms in this brain area play a key role in stress-induced alcohol seeking.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5809779 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/npp.2017.120 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Mental health for the indigenous population in Chhattisgarh, India: Navigating challenges and crafting solutions.
J Family Med Prim Care
December 2024
Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Introduction: The ST population, residing in isolated, underdeveloped areas, faces significant health disparities compared to non-tribal communities. In particular, the lack of mental health infrastructure in these regions exacerbates their health challenges. Tribal communities possess distinct cultural beliefs surrounding health and illness, yet scant information exists regarding their physical and mental well-being.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImpulsivity behaviors and white matter mediate the relationship between genetic risk for cannabis use disorder and early cannabis use in adolescents.
Addiction
January 2025
Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA.
Background And Aim: Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is strongly influenced by genetic factors; however the mechanisms underpinning this association are not well understood. This study investigated whether a polygenic risk score (PRS) based on a genome-wide association study for CUD in adults predicts cannabis use in adolescents and whether the association can be explained by inter-individual variation in structural properties of brain white matter or risk-taking behaviors.
Design And Setting: Longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses using data from the IMAGEN cohort, a European longitudinal study integrating genetic, neuroimaging and behavioral measures.
A longitudinal examination of factors predicting maternal permissiveness toward underage student drinking across the first three years of college.
Addict Behav
January 2025
Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA; Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
Parental permissiveness of drinking is a reliable predictor of college drinking, but there is little known about factors that predict such permissiveness. This study seeks to examine factors that predict two potentially different facets of permissiveness: perceived general approval of alcohol use and perceived drinking limits. Additionally, we explored how these facets mediate the relationship between the predictors of permissiveness and subsequent college drinking and related consequences.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Cannabis has become more available in Canada since its legalization in 2018. Many individuals who use cannabis also use alcohol (co-use), which can be used either at the same time such that their effects overlap (simultaneous use) or at different times (concurrent use). Though studies have identified predictors of co-use relative to single-substance use, less is known about the predictors of specific types of co-use.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCommunity knowledge of Australia's national preventive health strategy focus areas: a nationally representative survey of 1509 adults.
BMC Public Health
January 2025
School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Level 8, Building 10, 235-253 Jones St, Ultimo, NSW, Australia.
Background: While some general patterns and trends of health information seeking and literacy in the Australian population are known, there is a need to understand these behaviours and skills specific to the focus areas outlined in the National Preventive Health Strategy (NPHS).
Methods: In response, this study employed a cross-sectional online survey of adults in the Australian general population (n = 1509) to investigate their knowledge and health information seeking behaviour regarding the NPHS' seven focus areas. It also explored primary care practitioners as a preventive health information source.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!