Anxiety is an important regulator of alcohol consumption and addiction. In agreement, neuropeptide systems that modulate anxiety have been shown to play a role in the regulation of alcohol-related behaviors. Among these may be the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) type 2 receptor (CRF2 receptor)-activating urocortin (Ucn) peptide system. The goal of the present proposal is to characterize the role of the urocortinergic neuropeptide system in the context of alcohol administration. First, the effect of CRF receptor ligands microinjected into the CRF2 receptor-rich lateral septal nuclei (LS) on alcohol consumption will be investigated. Second, the neuroanatomical difference in the Ucn system between alcohol-preferring and non-preferring strains of mice will be investigated with retrograde neuronal tracing. Third, the regulation by alcohol exposure of the CRF2 receptor levels in the LS will be assayed with receptor autoradiography. It is hypothesized that alcohol consumption will regulate, and be regulated, by CRF2R activity in the LS. It is additionally hypothesized that mice that prefer alcohol will contain stronger Ucn projections to the LS than non-preferring mice. Findings of this proposal will provide an important contribution to work highlighting the importance of stress- and anxiety-modulating neuropeptide systems in the regulation of alcohol-related behaviors.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31AA014087-02
Application #
6800757
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAA1-GG (26))
Program Officer
Grandison, Lindsey
Project Start
2003-02-01
Project End
2005-01-31
Budget Start
2004-02-01
Budget End
2005-01-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$34,291
Indirect Cost
Name
Oregon Health and Science University
Department
Other Basic Sciences
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
096997515
City
Portland
State
OR
Country
United States
Zip Code
97239
Weitemier, A Z; Ryabinin, A E (2006) Urocortin 1 in the dorsal raphe regulates food and fluid consumption, but not ethanol preference in C57BL/6J mice. Neuroscience 137:1439-45
Weitemier, Adam Z; Ryabinin, Andrey E (2005) Lesions of the Edinger-Westphal nucleus alter food and water consumption. Behav Neurosci 119:1235-43
Weitemier, A Z; Tsivkovskaia, N O; Ryabinin, A E (2005) Urocortin 1 distribution in mouse brain is strain-dependent. Neuroscience 132:729-40