Open AccessControl of chronic excessive alcohol drinking by genetic manipulation of the Edinger–Westphal nucleus urocortin-1 neuropeptide system
Author(s) -
William J. Giardino,
Elena Díaz Rodríguez,
Monique L. Smith,
Matthew M. Ford,
Dana S. Galili,
Suzanne H. Mitchell,
Alon Chen,
Andrey E. Ryabinin
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
translational psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.652
H-Index - 82
ISSN - 2158-3188
DOI - 10.1038/tp.2016.293
Subject(s) - urocortin , neuropeptide , midbrain , neuropeptide y receptor , hypothalamus , neuroscience , endocrinology , medicine , biology , central nervous system , receptor
Midbrain neurons of the centrally projecting Edinger–Westphal nucleus (EWcp) are activated by alcohol, and enriched with stress-responsive neuropeptide modulators (including the paralog of corticotropin-releasing factor, urocortin-1). Evidence suggests that EWcp neurons promote behavioral processes for alcohol-seeking and consumption, but a definitive role for these cells remains elusive. Here we combined targeted viral manipulations and gene array profiling of EWcp neurons with mass behavioral phenotyping in C57BL/6 J mice to directly define the links between EWcp-specific urocortin-1 expression and voluntary binge alcohol intake, demonstrating a specific importance for EWcp urocortin-1 activity in escalation of alcohol intake.