title: Neuropeptide S differently modulates alcohol-related behaviors in alcohol-preferring and non-preferring rats.
abstract: Neuropeptide S (NPS) displays unique pharmacological properties and induces both anxiolytic and pro-stress/arousal activities. Previous studies performed using Wistar rats demonstrated that NPS facilitated alcohol and cocaine seeking but did not affect alcohol or cocaine consumption.
  
  
  
  Here, we investigated the effects of NPS in Marchigian Sardinian alcohol-preferring (msP) rats, a rat strain characterized by excessive alcohol consumption comorbid with heightened anxiety and depressive-like phenotypes. Specifically, we evaluated the effect of NPS on operant alcohol self-administration by msP rats compared to Wistar rats. The effect of NPS on cue-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking in msP rats was also evaluated. Finally, using the open field test (OFT) and the elevated plus maze (EPM), we evaluated the effects of NPS on locomotor activity and anxiety.
  
  
  
  NPS reduced alcohol self-administration but did not affect cue-induced reinstatement in the msP rat. In addition, NPS induced reinstatement of extinguished alcohol seeking in Wistar rats without affecting alcohol intake. In the EPM task, NPS, in accordance with its anxiolytic activity, increased the time spent in the open arm of the arena by msP rats, although this effect was not observed in Wistar rats.
  
  
  
  These data suggest that the effect of NPS is strongly influenced by the genetic background of the animal. In Wistar rats, NPS acts as a pro-arousal agent to promote the reinstatement of alcohol seeking. However, when alcohol drinking is motivated by or associated with a state of pathological anxiety, NPS attenuates alcohol consumption and seeking due to its anxiolytic activity.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Building of Experimental Medicine, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, Camerino, MC, 62032, Italy.
authors.forename: Nazzareno
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cannella
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Building of Experimental Medicine, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, Camerino, MC, 62032, Italy.
authors.forename: Marsida
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kallupi
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Building of Experimental Medicine, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, Camerino, MC, 62032, Italy.
authors.forename: Hong Wu
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Building of Experimental Medicine, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, Camerino, MC, 62032, Italy.
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stopponi
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Building of Experimental Medicine, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, Camerino, MC, 62032, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cifani
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Building of Experimental Medicine, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, Camerino, MC, 62032, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ciccocioppo
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Building of Experimental Medicine, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, Camerino, MC, 62032, Italy. massimo.ubaldi@unicam.it.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ubaldi
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003216:Conditioning, Operant; D003463:Cues; D058999:Drug-Seeking Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008124:Locomotion / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012646:Self Administration
chemical_list: D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D009479:Neuropeptides; C534458:neuropeptide S, rat; D000431:Ethanol
keywords: Abuse; Addiction; CNS; Ethanol; NPSR; Relapse