title: Stress-related neuropeptides and alcoholism: CRH, NPY, and beyond.
abstract: This article summarizes the proceedings of a symposium held at the conference on "Alcoholism and Stress: A Framework for Future Treatment Strategies" in Volterra, Italy, May 6-9, 2008. Chaired by Markus Heilig and Roberto Ciccocioppo, this symposium offered a forum for the presentation of recent data linking neuropetidergic neurotransmission to the regulation of different alcohol-related behaviors in animals and in humans. Dr. Donald Gehlert described the development of a new corticotrophin-releasing factor receptor 1 antagonist and showed its efficacy in reducing alcohol consumption and stress-induced relapse in different animal models of alcohol abuse. Dr. Andrey Ryabinin reviewed recent findings in his laboratory, indicating a role of the urocortin 1 receptor system in the regulation of alcohol intake. Dr. Annika Thorsell showed data supporting the significance of the neuropeptide Y receptor system in the modulation of behaviors associated with a history of ethanol intoxication. Dr. Roberto Ciccocioppo focused his presentation on the nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) receptors as treatment targets for alcoholism. Finally, Dr. Markus Heilig showed recent preclinical and clinical evidence suggesting that neurokinin 1 antagonism may represent a promising new treatment for alcoholism. Collectively, these investigators highlighted the significance of neuropeptidergic neurotransmission in the regulation of neurobiological mechanisms of alcohol addiction. Data also revealed the importance of these systems as treatment targets for the development of new medication for alcoholism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine and Public Health, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Macerata, Italy. roberto.ciccocioppo@unicam.it
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ciccocioppo
authors.forename: Donald R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Gehlert
authors.forename: Andrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ryabinin
authors.forename: Simranjit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cippitelli
authors.forename: Annika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thorsell
authors.forename: Anh D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Lê
authors.forename: Philip A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Hipskind
authors.forename: Chafiq
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hamdouchi
authors.forename: Jianliang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Erik J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Hembre
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cramer
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McKinzie
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morin
authors.forename: Daina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Economidou
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stopponi
authors.forename: Nazzareno
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cannella
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Braconi
authors.forename: Marsida
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kallupi
authors.forename: Giordano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: de Guglielmo
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Massi
authors.forename: David T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: Jody
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gilman
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hersh
authors.forename: Johannes T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Tauscher
authors.forename: Stephen P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hommer
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heilig
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D064729:Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000502:physiology*; D018847:Opioid Peptides / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*; D054832:Urocortins / Q000502:physiology; D000097629:Nociceptin
chemical_list: D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D064729:Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists; D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D018847:Opioid Peptides; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D054832:Urocortins; D000097629:Nociceptin