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Sunday, October 25, 2009

Galanin Knockout Mice Show Disturbances in Ethanol Consumption and Expression of Hypothalamic Peptides That Stimulate Ethanol Intake
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research Early View 23 Oct 2009

There is growing evidence suggesting that hypothalamic galanin (GAL), which is known to stimulate intake of a fat-rich diet, has a role in promoting the consumption of ethanol. The present study further examined this possibility in GAL knockout (GALKO) mice.

These results provide strong support for a physiological role of PVN GAL in stimulating the consumption of ethanol, as well as a fat-rich diet. Ablation of the GAL gene produced a behavioral phenotype, particularly in females, which may reflect the functional relationship of galanin to ovarian steroids. It also altered the peptides in the PFLH, with their reduced expression contributing to the larger behavioral effects observed in females and their increased expression attenuating these effects in males.


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