title: The urocortin 1 neurocircuit: ethanol-sensitivity and potential involvement in alcohol consumption.
abstract: One of the hallmarks of alcoholism is continued excessive consumption of alcohol-containing beverages despite the negative consequences of such behavior. The neurocircuitry regulating alcohol consumption is not well understood. Recent studies have shown that the neuropeptide urocortin 1 (Ucn1), a member of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) family of peptides, could be an important player in the regulation of alcohol consumption. This evidence is accumulated along three directions of research: (1) Ucn 1-containing neurons are extremely sensitive to alcohol; (2) the Ucn1 neurocircuit may contribute to the genetic predisposition to high alcohol intake in mice and rats; (3) manipulation of the Ucn1 system alters alcohol consumption and sensitivity. This paper reviews the current knowledge of the Ucn1 neurocircuit and the evidence for its involvement in alcohol-related behaviors, and proposes a mechanism for its involvement in the regulation of alcohol consumption.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, L470, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, 97239, USA. ryabinin@ohsu.edu
authors.forename: Andrey E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Ryabinin
authors.forename: Adam Z
authors.initials: AZ
authors.lastname: Weitemier
mesh_terms: D020268:Alcohol-Induced Disorders, Nervous System / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D054832:Urocortins
chemical_list: D054832:Urocortins; D000431:Ethanol; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone