title: The acute intoxicating effects of ethanol are not dependent on the vasopressin 1a or 1b receptors.
abstract: Studies of the role of vasopressin (Avp) in mediating the effects of ethanol have focused on Avp's role in altering kidney function via its action through the vasopressin 2 receptor. However, alcohol consumption also has central effects that are poorly understood. There is evidence that Avp may mediate ethanol consumption as well as some of ethanol's behavioral effects. Centrally only two Avp receptor subtypes are expressed: the 1a receptor (Avpr1a) and the 1b receptor (Avpr1b). To determine the extent to which these receptors mediate the behavioral effects of alcohol, we used mice with targeted disruptions of either their Avpr1a or Avpr1b gene. We examined the effects of genotype on the acute intoxicating effects of ethanol as well as on voluntary ethanol consumption. Surprisingly, our findings indicate that there is no interaction between either the Avpr1a or Avpr1b and ethanol on motor coordination, hypothermia, mood, or voluntary ethanol consumption.
authors.affiliation: Section on Neural Gene Expression, National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. heathercaldwell@mail.nih.gov
authors.forename: Heather K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Caldwell
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Wiedholz
authors.forename: Rachel A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Millstein
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Iacangelo
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.forename: W Scott
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Scott R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Wersinger
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000187:drug effects; D017483:Receptors, Vasopressin / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects; D013550:Swimming / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D017483:Receptors, Vasopressin