Science News Online (11/28/98): References for Brain chemical affects alcohol sensitivity

< Back to Contents

Brain chemical affects alcohol sensitivity

A key chemical in the brain, known as neuropeptide Y, appears to govern how mice react to alcohol.

References:

Thiele, T.E., et al. 1998. Ethanol consumption and resistance are inversely related to neuropeptide Y levels. Nature 396(Nov. 26):366.

Further Readings:

1996. Feasting on neuropeptide Y research. Science News 150(July 27):63.

Erickson, J.C., K.E. Clegg, and R.D. Palmiter. 1996. Sensitivity to leptin and susceptibility to seizures of mice lacking neuropeptide Y. Nature 381:415.

Gerald, G., et al. 1996. A receptor subtype involved in neuropeptide-Y-induced food intake. Nature 382:168.

Jensen, G.B., and B. Pakkenberg. 1993. Do alcoholics drink their neurons away? Lancet 342(Nov. 13):1201.

Meyer, R.E. 1996. The disease called addiction: emerging evidence in a 200-year debate. Lancet 347(Jan. 20):162.

Pennisi, E. 1993. Food cravings tied to brain chemicals. Science News 144(Nov. 13):319.

Sources:

Enoch Gordis
National Institutes of Health
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
6000 Executive Boulevard, Suite 400
Rockville, MD 20892

Luis de Lecea
Scripps Research Institute
Department of Molecular Biology
MG 10, 10550 North Torrey Pines
La Jolla, CA 92037

Todd E. Thiele
University of Washington
Department of Psychology
Box 351525
Seattle, WA 98195

From Science News, Vol. 154, No. 22, November 28, 1998, p. 341. Copyright Ó 1998 by Science Service.

Back to Table of Contents - 11/28/98