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Genes and Alcohol Consumption: Studies with Mutant Mice
J Mayfield1, M A Arends2, R A Harris1
1Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States.
International Review of Neurobiology
|April 9, 2016
Summary
Genetic mouse models significantly impact alcohol consumption, with over 70% of genes tested altering drinking behaviors. These effects vary based on mouse sex, genetics, and the specific alcohol access model used.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Alcohol consumption is a complex behavior influenced by genetic factors.
- Understanding the genetic underpinnings of alcohol self-administration is crucial for developing effective interventions.
- Mouse models are widely used to study the genetic basis of alcohol-related behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the effects of genetic manipulations in mice on voluntary alcohol self-administration.
- To synthesize findings from approximately 200 publications involving 155 mouse genes.
- To analyze the impact of different alcohol drinking models on observed genetic effects.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of publications on mouse genetic models and alcohol consumption.
- Analysis of data from various alcohol self-administration paradigms (e.g., operant conditioning, two-bottle choice).
- Examination of gene functions including neurotransmitter, ion channel, neuroimmune, and neuropeptide signaling.
Main Results:
- Of 137 genes tested in the continuous two-bottle choice model, 97 (72%) altered alcohol drinking in at least one sex.
- Genetic manipulations impact alcohol consumption across diverse signaling systems.
- Effects of genetic manipulations are often dependent on sex, alcohol concentration, access duration, genetic background, and testing method.
Conclusions:
- Genetic mouse models provide valuable insights into the biological basis of alcohol consumption.
- The observed effects of genetic factors on alcohol drinking are highly context-dependent.
- Further research comparing different drinking models with the same genetic manipulations is warranted.
Keywords:
Continuous and intermittent two-bottle choiceDrinking in the darkGlobal homozygous knockoutKnockinOperantScheduled high alcohol consumptionTransgenic overexpressionVoluntary self-administrationMore Related Videos
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