Low endogenous dopamine function in brain predisposes to high alcohol preference and consumption: reversal by increasing synaptic dopamine.

摘要: Using inbred strains of mice that differ widely in their innate preference for and consumption ethanol, we demonstrate, ethanol-preferring C57BL/6J (C57) mice, decreased dopamine (DA) content turnover the terminals mesolimbic mesostriatal neurons, compared with ethanol-avoiding DBA/2J BALBc mice. These data suggest genetically determined hypodopaminergic function these pathways plays a role predisposition to high voluntary intake ethanol. DA areas was selectively increased by ethanol C57 which suggests neurons are among central substrates action brain. In keeping this hypothesis, augmenting synaptic concentrations enhancing synthesis L-3-4-dihydroxyphenylalanine carbidopa, or decreasing its degradation monoamine oxidase-B blockade selegiline, led marked decreases The selegiline-mediated decrease drinking could be blocked D1 D2 receptor antagonists, activity at receptors an important behavior. Indeed, animals attenuated direct activation either agonists.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)