The Role of Neuropeptide Y (NPY) in Uncontrolled Alcohol Drinking and Relapse Behavior Resulting from Exposure to Stressful Events
Abstract
There is high co-morbidity between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol dependence, indicating that exposure to stressful events increases the risk of alcoholism. Thus, identifying pharmacological targets with potential therapeutic value in treating PTSD-associated alcoholism is critical. During the tenure of this grant, we gained significant insight suggesting that NPY signaling, via the Y1 receptor, plays a protective role against relapse-like ethanol drinking resulting from exposure to stressful events. NPY signaling was also found to modulate the effects of stress on uncontrolled and excessive ethanol drinking. These results have important implications for possible pharmacological medical treatment of alcohol abuse disorders. Specifically, compounds developed as Y1 receptor agonists may represent promising targets to protect against relapse drinking in abstinent alcoholics resulting from exposure to stressful events, including stress stemming from PTSD. Thus, these findings may be considered of high relevance to the U.S. military, as well as the civilian population.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA553761
Entities
People
- Todd Thiele
Organizations
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill