title: Ascending orexinergic pathways and alcohol-seeking.
abstract: Orexin (hypocretin) containing neurons reside in discrete regions of the lateral hypothalamus from where they innervate the entire neuroaxis. Via actions upon orexin receptors (OX1 and OX2), the orexin peptides (orexin A and orexin B) are thought to play a role in ethanol consumption and seeking. While a role for OX1 receptors in these behaviours is established, the case for OX2 receptors is less clear at present, although recent data certainly support an involvement of OX2 receptors in ethanol consumption. In terms of circuitry, orexin receptors the ventral tegmental area appear to contribute to ethanol consumption. Other loci remain to be characterised, and we suggest prefrontal cortical orexin receptors deserve attention in this respect.
authors.affiliation: Florey Institute of Neuroscience & Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
authors.forename: Robyn Mary
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Andrew John
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Lawrence
mesh_terms: D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000378:metabolism; D000438:Alcohols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D058999:Drug-Seeking Behavior; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D064446:Orexin Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D000068797:Orexins; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D017557:Ventral Tegmental Area / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000438:Alcohols; C000596229:HCRT protein, human; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D064446:Orexin Receptors; D000068797:Orexins