Alcoholism is a chronic disorder described by compulsive seeking and consumption of alcohol, the result of a transition from recreational alcohol use to abuse and dependence. Alcohol dependence and withdrawal are characterized by negative emotional states resulting from recruited brain stress systems. The amygdalar nuclei, in particular the central amygdala (CeA), are considered a hub for negative emotional circuitry, and the role of pro- and anti-stress neuropeptides in this brain structure is critical for the development of alcohol dependence. The CeA contains primarily GABAergic neurons, and the inhibitory synapses are very sensitive to acute ethanol and play a critical role in the behavioral effects of acute and chronic ethanol consumption. Pro- stress neuropeptides like corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) have been found to enhance GABAergic transmission in the CeA, while anti-stress neuropeptides like nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) decrease GABAergic transmission. The balance between anti- and pro-stress signaling is perturbed during the transition to alcohol dependence, characterized by an overactive CRF system. Importantly, one anti-stress neuropeptide, oxytocin (OT), has been shown to decrease drinking and block withdrawal symptoms when administered to human alcoholics. However, no studies have investigated the effects of OT and its interactions with ethanol on the GABAergic system in the CeA. Therefore, the goal of this proposal is to characterize the effects of OT on CeA GABAergic signaling, its interactions with acute ethanol and the potential neuroadaptations induced by ethanol dependence in the OT system, using electrophysiological techniques. The data generated by this project will elucidate the mechanisms of action of OT in the CeA and provide important information to the neuronal changes that contribute to the transition from recreational alcohol consumption to alcohol dependence, and could lead to the development of better therapeutics in the treatment of alcoholism.

Public Health Relevance

Alcohol use disorder and alcohol dependence are significant public health concerns, and changes in GABAergic signaling in the CeA may underlie the negative affective states that are seen after the development of alcohol dependence. This proposal uses electrophysiological and pharmacological techniques to characterize the effects of alcohol dependence on the oxytocin system, which may counteract these negative affective states, in the CeA. The results of these studies will provide critical information to understand one of the underlying mechanisms related to the development of alcohol dependence, and could contribute to the development of improved treatments and therapeutics to treat alcohol use disorder.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
3F32AA025262-01S1
Application #
9428749
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAA1-GG (32)L)
Program Officer
Liu, Qi-Ying
Project Start
2016-09-30
Project End
2017-06-29
Budget Start
2016-12-01
Budget End
2017-06-29
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
$2,197
Indirect Cost
Name
Scripps Research Institute
Department
Type
Research Institutes
DUNS #
781613492
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92037
Kirson, Dean; Oleata, Christopher Shaun; Parsons, Loren Howell et al. (2018) CB1 and ethanol effects on glutamatergic transmission in the central amygdala of male and female msP and Wistar rats. Addict Biol 23:676-688
Roberto, Marisa; Spierling, Samantha R; Kirson, Dean et al. (2017) Corticotropin-Releasing Factor (CRF) and Addictive Behaviors. Int Rev Neurobiol 136:5-51