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Related Concept Videos

Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena01:15

Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena

Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not necessarily...
Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants01:23

Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants


Ganglionic stimulants activate NM nicotinic receptors in autonomic ganglia, falling into two categories: nicotine mimetics [e.g., lobeline, dimethylpiperazine, tetramethylammonium] and muscarinic receptor agonists [e.g., muscarine, methacholine]. The first category's action is rapid and blocked by nicotinic receptor antagonists, while the second category's action is delayed and blocked by atropine-like agents. Nicotine, an alkaloid, affects the heart rate by stimulating sympathetic or...
Drug Dependence01:17

Drug Dependence

Medications are typically administered to achieve therapeutic effects. Some drugs can modify an individual's mood and perception, frequently resulting in various enjoyable experiences. However, this can result in drug dependency, a condition marked by continuous drug use despite potential negative consequences. Drug dependency primarily falls into two categories: psychological and physical dependence. Psychological dependence occurs when the pleasurable feelings induced by the drug...
Regulation of Food Intake01:30

Regulation of Food Intake

Short-term regulation of food intake primarily involves neural signals from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood nutrient levels, and GI tract hormones. Communication between the gut and brain via vagal nerve fibers plays a significant role in evaluating the contents of the gut. Clinical studies have shown that protein ingestion produces a more prolonged response in these nerve fibers compared to an equivalent amount of glucose. Additionally, the activation of stretch receptors caused by GI...
Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists01:24

Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists

Incretins include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which stimulate insulin secretion post-meals. In type 2 diabetes, GIP's efficacy is reduced, making GLP-1 a viable drug target. GIP originates from preproGIP.
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CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine

Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

A Method for Evaluating the Reinforcing Properties of Ethanol in Rats without Water Deprivation, Saccharin Fading or Extended Access Training
07:50

A Method for Evaluating the Reinforcing Properties of Ethanol in Rats without Water Deprivation, Saccharin Fading or Extended Access Training

Published on: January 29, 2017

Galanin and addiction.

M R Picciotto1

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 34 Park Street, 3rd Floor Research, New Haven, Connecticut 06508, USA. marina.picciotto@yale.edu

Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences : CMLS
|May 27, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Galanin, a neuropeptide, surprisingly reduces the rewarding effects of opiates and withdrawal symptoms. Genetic variations in galanin may influence addiction susceptibility, suggesting galanin receptors as potential addiction treatment targets.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Addiction Research
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Neuropeptides regulating feeding also influence brain circuits for drug abuse.
  • Stress pathways impact food intake, drug reward, and withdrawal symptoms.
  • Galanin's role in feeding and opiate analgesia suggested it might enhance opiate reinforcement.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of galanin on opiate reward and withdrawal.
  • To explore the potential of galanin as a therapeutic target for addiction.

Main Methods:

  • Administered galanin agonists and studied opiate reward using conditioned place preference.
  • Examined opiate reward and withdrawal in galanin knockout mice.
  • Measured activity-evoked dopamine release in striatal slices and noradrenergic neuron firing rates in locus coeruleus.

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A Novel Procedure for Evaluating the Reinforcing Properties of Tastants in Laboratory Rats: Operant Intraoral Self-administration
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A Conflict Model of Reward-seeking Behavior in Male Rats
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Published on: February 20, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 5, 2026

A Method for Evaluating the Reinforcing Properties of Ethanol in Rats without Water Deprivation, Saccharin Fading or Extended Access Training
07:50

A Method for Evaluating the Reinforcing Properties of Ethanol in Rats without Water Deprivation, Saccharin Fading or Extended Access Training

Published on: January 29, 2017

A Novel Procedure for Evaluating the Reinforcing Properties of Tastants in Laboratory Rats: Operant Intraoral Self-administration
11:16

A Novel Procedure for Evaluating the Reinforcing Properties of Tastants in Laboratory Rats: Operant Intraoral Self-administration

Published on: February 6, 2014

A Conflict Model of Reward-seeking Behavior in Male Rats
06:11

A Conflict Model of Reward-seeking Behavior in Male Rats

Published on: February 20, 2019

Main Results:

  • Galanin agonists decreased opiate reward and withdrawal signs.
  • Mice lacking galanin exhibited increased opiate reward and withdrawal.
  • Galanin reduced dopamine release and noradrenergic neuron activity in relevant brain areas.

Conclusions:

  • Galanin appears to attenuate, rather than potentiate, opiate reward and withdrawal.
  • Genetic variations in galanin signaling may affect susceptibility to opiate addiction.
  • Galanin receptors represent a promising target for novel addiction therapies.