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Friday, December 18, 2009

Gene Expression in the Neuropeptide Y System During Ethanol Withdrawal Kindling in Rats


Multiple episodes of ethanol intoxication and withdrawal result in progressive, irreversible intensification of the withdrawal reaction, a process termed "ethanol withdrawal kindling." Previous studies show that a single episode of chronic ethanol intoxication and withdrawal causes prominent changes in neuropeptide Y (NPY) and its receptors that have been implicated in regulating withdrawal hyperexcitability.

This study for the first time examined the NPY system during ethanol withdrawal kindling.

Multiple withdrawal episodes reversibly decreased NPY and NPY receptor mRNA levels at peak withdrawal, with smaller decreases in NPY mRNA levels and augmented decreases in Y1/Y5 mRNA levels compared with a SW episode. Multiple withdrawal-induced seizures increased the Y2 mRNA levels in PirCx. These complex changes in NPY system gene expression could play a role in the ethanol withdrawal kindling process.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: woldbye@sund.ku.dk
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