Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) content and CGRP receptor binding sites in discrete forebrain regions of alcohol-preferring vs. -nonpreferring rats, and high alcohol-drinking vs. low alcohol-drinking rats.
This study showed that alcohol-preferring (P) rats and high alcohol-drinking (HAD) rats possess fewer calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor binding sites than their respective controls in the central amygdaloid nucleus (CeA) which is known to be related to anxiety. Since P and HAD rats are selectively bred for high alcohol preference, and alcohol can produce anxiolytic effect, one can postulate that P and HAD rats preferentially drink alcohol in order to obtain its anxiolytic effect. This study supports a hypothesis that deficit of CGRP receptors in the CeA of P and HAD rats may contribute to alcohol preference.
Hwang
B H
BH
Department of Anatomy (MS-259), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202, USA.
Kunkler
P E
PE
Lumeng
L
L
Li
T K
TK
D000679:Amygdala / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000032:analysis*; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D004327:Drinking Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D016548:Prosencephalon / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D018015:Receptors, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000032:analysis*
D018015:Receptors, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D000431:Ethanol; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide