Blockade of central neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y2 receptors reduces ethanol self-administration in rats.
Neurosci Lett
; 332(1): 1-4, 2002 Oct 25.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-12377370
ABSTRACT
Activation of central neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptors is known to produce several behavioral effects, including feeding, modulation of memory and antagonism of behavioral effects of stress. In addition, experiments in knock-out and transgenic mice have suggested a possible role of NPY regulation of voluntary ethanol intake. NPY receptors involved in this action are not known. Here, we examined the effects of a selective NPY-Y2 receptor antagonist, BIIE0246, on operant responding for ethanol in a sweetened solution, or the sweetened solution without ethanol, during 30 min sessions of free choice between the two. BIIE0246 produced a robust suppression of responding for ethanol (40% reduction, P=0.013) at an intracerebroventricular dose of 1.0 nmol, but not 0.3 nmol. Responding for the saccharin solution was not significantly affected. The dose range examined was selected since preliminary experiments with doses of 3 nmol and higher indicated sedative effects, but such effects were absent up to 1.0 nmol, as shown by unaffected exploratory locomotor activity. In summary, antagonism at central NPY-Y2 receptors seems to selectively suppress operant self-administration of ethanol. This suggests that Y2 receptors might be candidate targets for developing novel pharmacological treatments of alcoholism.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Arginina
/
Receptores de Neuropeptídeo Y
/
Etanol
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2002
Tipo de documento:
Article