Regulation of alcohol-seeking by orexin (hypocretin) neurons.
Orexins (hypocretins) are found primarily within a restricted portion of neurons within the hypothalamus, but provide innervation across the neuraxis. Orexin A (hypocretin 1) has been implicated in drug and food reward. Not surprisingly therefore, interest has come to bear on whether orexins are implicated in aspects of alcohol consumption and/or seeking. This mini-review provides a concise, but timely, discussion on this issue. The evidence to date would suggest a role for orexins in alcohol use, and integration of orexin-containing neurons in reward-seeking circuitry. There are however still many unanswered questions, some of which are canvassed herein.
Lawrence
Andrew J
AJ
Howard Florey Institute and Centre for Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia. Andrew.Lawrence@florey.edu.au
D020268:Alcohol-Induced Disorders, Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007026:Hypothalamic Area, Lateral / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D009042:Motivation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000502:physiology*; D000068797:Orexins; D012008:Recurrence; D012201:Reward; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology
C000596229:HCRT protein, human; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D000068797:Orexins