Abstract
Role of glutamate transporter 1 in the attenuation of alcohol intake.
Highlights
Evidence demonstrated that many aspects of drug abuse and dependence involve changes in glutamate neurotransmission
The neurocircuitry of the glutamatergic system is not fully defined, it has been suggested that the prefrontal cortex (PFC) (Goldstein and Volkow, 2002) and the nucleus accumbens (NAc) (Childress et al, 1999) play a critical role in drug reinforcement
The important roles of these glutamatergic projections from the PFC to the NAc and the ventral tegmental area (VTA) have been observed in neuroimaging studies performed during craving periods in several paradigms for commonly abused drugs such as alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and nicotine (Childress et al, 1999; Goldstein and Volkow, 2002)
Summary
Evidence demonstrated that many aspects of drug abuse and dependence involve changes in glutamate neurotransmission. Glutamatergic projections from the PFC to the NAc are important in the expression of addictive behaviors, and are the primary driver of drug abuse, including alcohol (for review see Kalivas, 2004; Rao and Sari, 2012). Our central question in our laboratory was whether we could increase the expression of GLT1 level in rat brains exposed to alcohol, and further determine the effects of this increase in alcohol intake.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
