Alcohol-preferring rats have fewer dopamine D2 receptors in the limbic system

E Stefanini; M Frau; M G Garau; B Garau; F Fadda; G L Gessa

Alcohol-preferring rats have fewer dopamine D2 receptors in the limbic system

Alcohol Alcohol. 1992 Mar;27(2):127-30.

Authors

E Stefanini¹, M Frau, M G Garau, B Garau, F Fadda, G L Gessa

Affiliation

¹ Bernard B. Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Italy.

PMID: 1355967

Abstract

Dopamine D2 receptors in nucleus accumbens, olfactory tubercle and caudate nucleus of Sardinian ethanol-preferring (SP), and non-preferring (SNP) rats were compared by using [3H]YM-09151-2 binding. SP rats exhibited, in each area, lower density of D2 receptors than SNP and unselected Wistar (UW) rats. The results suggest that reduction in D2 receptors in SP rats may be relevant to their innate preference for alcohol.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Alcohol Drinking / genetics*
Animals
Down-Regulation
Humans
Infant
Limbic System / metabolism*
Male
Neurotransmitter Agents / metabolism
Neurotransmitter Agents / pharmacology
Rats
Rats, Inbred Strains / genetics*
Receptors, Dopamine / drug effects
Receptors, Dopamine / metabolism*

Substances

Neurotransmitter Agents
Receptors, Dopamine