Evolutionary underpinnings of excessive alcohol consumption

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Primatology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Non-human primates, particularly rhesus macaques, are valuable models for studying alcoholism due to phylogenetic relatedness.
• Excessive alcohol consumption, aggression, and serotonergic function (measured by 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in cerebrospinal fluid) are linked in both humans and macaques.
• Impulsivity is a key behavioral predictor of excessive alcohol consumption in humans and rhesus monkeys.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential role of impulsive and aggressive behaviors in the maintenance of alcoholism traits in rhesus macaques.
• To integrate behavioral and neuroendocrine data to understand the underlying mechanisms of excessive alcohol intake.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of behavioral data from captive and semi-free-ranging rhesus macaques.
• Integration of neuroendocrine data, including cerebrospinal fluid 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentrations.
• Comparative analysis between human and rhesus macaque data on alcohol consumption, aggression, and impulsivity.

Main Results:

• Established links between excessive alcohol consumption, aggression, and serotonergic function in rhesus macaques.
• Identified impulsivity as a significant behavioral predictor of excessive alcohol consumption.
• Posited indirect benefits of impulsive and aggressive behaviors in certain contexts contributing to alcoholism traits.

Conclusions:

• Rhesus macaques serve as a relevant model for alcoholism research.
• Impulsive and aggressive behaviors may play an indirect role in the development and maintenance of alcoholism.
• Understanding these behavioral traits and their neuroendocrine correlates is crucial for alcoholism research.