title: Chronic ethanol potentiates the effect of neuropeptide s in the basolateral amygdala and shows increased anxiolytic and anti-depressive effects.
abstract: Alleviating anxiety and depression is pivotal for reducing the risk of relapse in alcoholics. Currently available anxiolytic treatments are limited by side effects, including reduced efficacy in alcoholics, addiction, and sedation. We examined whether the neuropeptide S receptor (NPSR) was effective at controlling ethanol consumption and the anxiety and depression produced by forced abstinence from ethanol. We found that the anxiolytic and anti-depressant effects of NPS are enhanced in acute ethanol abstinent mice. In addition, we found that NPS reduced ethanol consumption and is not in and of itself rewarding. We also provide evidence that ethanol consumption increases the ability of NPS to modulate neuronal activity in the basolateral amygdala. Finally, we found that local injection of NPS in the basolateral amygdala promotes anxiolysis after chronic ethanol consumption, thereby providing insight into the molecular mechanism underlying the changes in behavioral response to NPS. In light of the improved anxiolytic efficacy and benign side effects of NPS in ethanol-withdrawn animals, the NPSR may prove a suitable target for reducing relapse in alcoholism.
authors: Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center, Emeryville, CA, USA.
authors: Johan
authors: J
authors: Enquist
authors: Madeline
authors: M
authors: Ferwerda
authors: Anuradha
authors: A
authors: Madhavan
authors: Derek
authors: D
authors: Hok
authors: Jennifer L
authors: JL
authors: Whistler
mesh_terms: D000221:Adaptation, Ocular / Q000187:drug effects; D000679:Amygdala / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000187:drug effects; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D004357:Drug Synergism; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D019417:Hindlimb Suspension / Q000379:methods; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D013550:Swimming / Q000523:psychology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D009479:Neuropeptides; C539972:neuropeptide S, mouse; D000431:Ethanol