Factors affecting alcohol self-administration : learning, environmental and genetic influences on behaviour

摘要: Alcoholism is a serious problem for society and very difficult disease to treat clinically. Often, the addict has periods of abstinence from alcohol followed by relapse drinking this cycle use/non-use can repeat over many years. The aim thesis was further explore some factors affecting self-administration in animals, namely 1) role alcohol-associated cues self-administration, 2) effects early life stress (known change preference) on neurochemistry an individual. 3) To determine whether amount individual consumes genetically determined and/or involves certain brain regions, 4) compare individuals that do or not acquire lever press response explained genetic differences. first paper investigated effect associated with selfadministration Wistar rats. When repeatedly used, classical conditioning occurs since environmental stimuli surrounding use (e.g. smell, bottle, pub signs, etc.) become paired pharmacological alcohol. We interrupted normal routine transport (a series ethanol) observe what affect would have subsequent self-administration. rats were subjected 5-minute delay, active increased 26% consumption ethanol (via blood measurements) significantly increased. No observed after 10 15-minute delay if occurred novel environment. also persistent still 10-day break training (the deprivation paradigm). Additionally, anti-craving compound naltrexone blocked delay. Preliminary experiments indicated did breakpoint progressive ratio schedule but increase rate Individual correlated saline injection, which indicates effect. second explored issue alcoholism. Stress place at greater risk developing mental disorders later life. animal model maternal separation been developed study neurobiology underlying these effects. It known male pups separated their mother 6 hours per day (MS360) consume more than 15 minutes (MS15). hypothesized observation could be result differences glutamate system brain. Therefore, we mRNA expression receptors using real-time RT-PCR prefrontal cortex (involved disorders) hippocampus (susceptible critical learning). changes found hippocampus. MS360 had lower NMDA NR2B AMPA GluR1 GluR2 subunits when compared MS15 animals. In addition, transporter GLAST relative suggests compensation due excess released under stress. There no difference between facility reared animals specific procedure. Based results two papers, decided investigate level. consumed its background. Using qPCR technique,