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Sunday, October 25, 2009

Neuropeptide S Receptor Gene Expression in Alcohol Withdrawal and Protracted Abstinence in Postdependent Rats
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research Early View 23 Oct 2009

Alcoholism is a chronic disease characterized by frequent intoxications followed by withdrawal episodes and relapse to alcohol use. Neuroplastic changes associated with these intoxication and withdrawal cycles are thought to play a key role in disease progression. Recently, it has been shown that neuropeptide S (NPS), a newly deorphanized neuropeptide receptor system, facilitates relapse to alcohol seeking in laboratory animals.

Given that a history of ethanol intoxication may increase vulnerability to alcohol addiction, we sought to determine whether NPS receptor (NPSR) gene expression is altered during withdrawal.

Neuropeptide S receptor mRNA expression is increased in different brain areas of postdependent rats; as shown in the DB test, this expression change is functionally relevant.


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