Inhibition of norepinephrine-reuptake and subsequent binge-like alcohol intake

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  • February 26, 2019
Creator
  • Vis, Cortland
    • Affiliation: College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience
Abstract
  • The role of norepinephrine (NE) has recently received increasing attention in the context of alcohol misuse and how this may transform into alcohol dependence. In order to assess the pharmacological potential of the NE system in the prevention of alcohol abuse, we must have a more precise understanding of the neurobiological pathways involved. Previous research suggests that the locus coeruleus (LC) – lateral hypothalamus (LH) pathway may be particularly important in mediating the excessive use of alcohol, known as binge drinking. Using the “drinking in the dark” (DID) procedure, we evaluated the effects of two different NE-increasing drugs on the ethanol and sucrose intake of C57BL/6J mice. Atipamezole, an alpha-2 adrenocepter (AR) antagonist, was infused directly into the LH, decreasing ethanol and sucrose consumption in females exclusively. In a second study, the noradrenergic reuptatke inhibitor, reboxetine, was administered systemically to determine if increasing NE activity throughout the body alters binge-like ethanol consumption. Reboxetine significantly reduced ethanol and sucrose intake across all subjects, indicating that NE signaling may be a useful target for modulating excessive ethanol and/or general consummatory behavior. While the results suggest that increasing NE signaling may be an effective method to reduce alcohol intake, further investigation is needed regarding the relative influence of specific brain pathways and which mechanisms will maximize the selectivity for preventing alcohol dependence.
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  • In Copyright
Note
  • Funding: Tom and Elizabeth Long Excellence Fund for Honors
Advisor
  • Thiele, Todd
Degree
  • Bachelor of Science
Academic concentration
  • Psychology
Honors level
  • Honors
Degree granting institution
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Graduation year
  • 2018
Language
  • English

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