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Sunday, January 9, 2011

Blockade of opioid receptors in anterior cingulate cortex disrupts ethanol-seeking behavior in mice



The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and opioid receptors have been suggested to play a role in attributing incentive motivational properties to drug-related cues. 

We examined whether blockade of ACC opioid receptors would reduce cue-induced ethanol-seeking behavior in mice.

We show that intra-ACC opioid receptor blockade disrupted expression of an ethanol-induced conditioned place preference, suggesting that endogenous opioid modulation in the ACC may be critical for maintaining the cue's conditioned rewarding effects.


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