Alcohol Consumption in Humans

Scientists have recently known that some of the region of our brain is known as the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) that plays a role in various behaviours that is in relation to alcohol use and also consumption in general. It has been till now less known that precise huge population of the brain cells and also their projections for other brain regions which mediate these all behaviours. Now we have seen that UNC School of Medicine scientists have also discovered that specific neurons in the CeA and also contributed for rewarding like behaviours, alcohol consumption in particular.
Published inside the Journal of Neuroscience, this research has pinpointed a unique neural circuit that has when has been altered has caused animal models for drinking less alcohol.
Senior author Zoe McElligott who is PhD and assistant professor of psychiatry and pharmacology has said that the fact that these all neurons have promoted reward-like behaviour which has extremely lowered levels of consumption of alcohol for activating these cells, and that type of activation of these neurons also drives alcohol drinking in some animals without extensive prior drinking experiences which suggests that they may be vital for early alcohol use and reward. He further added that our hope is that by understanding the function of this type of circuit.
McElligott, who is also one of member of the UNC Bowles Center for the Alcohol Studies has set out for investigating if a population of neurons have expressed a specific neuropeptide (neurotensin or NTS) which contributes to reward-like behaviors and further alcohol drinking.

By: Prerana Sharma

Content: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191212122550.htm