Melanocortin and Opioid Peptide Interactions in the Modulation of Binge Alcohol Drinking
Abstract
Frequent binge drinking is associated with numerous negative short- and long-term consequences, including an increased risk of accidental injury, violent behavior, depression, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. While illicit drug use and cigarette smoking both decreased significantly in the US military between the period of 1980 to 2002, heavy alcohol use increased. In fact, heavy alcohol use and binge drinking are observed in 27% of the military population. Identifying neurochemical pathways in the brain that modulate binge drinking may provide insight into pharmaceutical treatments that could protect against this dangerous behavior. Recently identified candidates for modulating binge drinking are the melanocortin (MC) peptides, such as alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), and the opioid peptide Beta-endorphin which are produced in the same brain neurons. The specific aims proposed below will test the guiding hypothesis that stimulation of MC receptor and blockade of opioid receptor protect against excessive binge-like alcohol drinking and intoxicating blood alcohol levels (BALs) in an animal model of binge drinking. The aims will also determine if MC receptor (MCR) agonists and opioid receptor antagonists interact to protect against binge-like alcohol drinking an additive (synergistic) manner.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA554238
Entities
People
- Todd E. Thiele
Organizations
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill