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C Vita
DA-Phen as a new potential DA-mimetic agent for treatment of alcohol addiction: preclinical in vivo studies
Rewarding and reinforcing properties of alcohol are mediated by activation of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system1. This neurosystem is hypofunctional in the addicted brain, even beyond somatic and psychological signs of withdrawal. Boosting strategy on the dopaminergic tone could represent a valid approach to alcohol addiction treatment2. The effects of a new dopamine conjugate3 (2-amino-N-[2-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-phenyl-propionamide, DA-Phen) on operant behaviour and on withdrawal behaviour, following alcohol deprivation, were evaluated. The concentration of acetaldehyde (ACD), ethanol's first metabolite, as an indirect measure of the possible DA-Phen modulation in alcohol consum…
Drinking pattern matters: effects on maternal care and offspring vulnerability to alcohol in rats
Alcohol drinking during pregnancy and post-partum period is a major concern because of the persistent neurobehavioral deficits in the offspring, which include increased vulnerability to substance abuse (1). The intermittent pattern of alcohol consumption induces higher drinking levels and deeper neurobiological changes in addiction-related brain regions, with respect to traditional free-access paradigms in male rats (2, 3). Nevertheless, no studies investigated on the effects of the drinking pattern on female subjects during pregnancy and perinatal time. To this aim, this study explored the consequences of continuous vs. intermittent drinking pattern on maternal behaviour and on offspring v…
Intermittent- vs continuous alcohol access in female rats: Effects on deprivation phenotype and maternal behavior as a consequence of the drinking pattern
In male rats, the intermittent alcohol access paradigm produces relevant and specific consequences on neuronal activity and behavior, with respect to traditional free-access paradigms (Carnicella et al., 2014). In order to explore gender-related effects, this study aimed at assessing the consequences of two different patterns of alcohol self-administration on peculiar feminine behavioral repertoire, such as deprivation phenotype and maternal care. Animals underwent long-term, home cage, two-bottle “alcohol (20% v/v) or water” choice regimen, with continuous (7 days a week) or intermittent (3 days a week) access, and were tested for alcohol intake and preference. During acute deprivation, th…
EFFECT OF ACETALDEHYDE INTOXICATION AND WITHDRAWAL ON NEUROPEPTIDE Y EXPRESSION. FOCUS ON CB1 RECEPTOR ROLE.
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) acts as an endogenous anxiolytic, and, like endocannabinoids, plays an important role in the regulation of neuronal excitability during ethanol withdrawal (Rubio et al., 2011). Since acetaldehyde is considered a mediator of ethanol central effects, this research aims at investigating, following intoxication and during withdrawal, the effects of acetaldehyde on NPY expression in brain areas particularly vulnerable to alcohol, and the influence of cannabinoid system on it. Rats underwent acetaldehyde intoxication (450mg/kg, i.g., 4 times daily for 4 days); AM281, a CB1 selective antagonist (2,5 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered during abstinence. Immunohistochemical analysis …
Environmental enrichment reverts the effects of continuous or intermittent perinatal alcohol exposure. Focus on alcohol vulnerability and affectivity in the offspring
Alcohol consumption during perinatal periods is common, despite the warning of adverse effects on the foetal development. In female rats, the intermittent pattern of alcohol consumption is responsible for higher drinking levels and more profound disruption of maternal care than traditional continuous free-access paradigm, which can have persistent effects on the offspring. The environmental enrichment, a powerful form of experience-dependent plasticity that allows high cognitive, motor and sensory stimulations, is helpful for recovering from different neurological pathologies. Thus, this study aimed at exploring the effects of environmental enrichment on alcohol vulnerability and affective …