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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
Murine Drinking Models in the Development of Pharmacotherapies for Alcoholism: Drinking in the Dark and Two-bottle Choice
Published on: January 7, 2019
Sex specific modulation of LC neuronal activity in a binge drinking mouse model
Kexin Yu1, Dehua Yang1, Xu Gao1
1Shanghai Changning Mental Health Center, Affiliated Mental Health Center of East China Normal University, Shanghai 200335, China; School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; NYU-ECNU Institute of Brain and Cognitive Science at NYU Shanghai, Shanghai 200062, China.
This study reveals sex differences in brain mechanisms of binge drinking. Locus coeruleus (LC) norepinephrine (NE) neurons regulate alcohol consumption differently in males and females, offering new intervention targets.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Binge drinking increases alcohol use disorder risk, with notable sex differences.
- Neural mechanisms underlying these sex-specific drinking behaviors are poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sex differences in the neural regulation of binge-like drinking behavior.
- To identify the role of the locus coeruleus (LC) in sexually dimorphic alcohol consumption.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Drinking in the Dark (DID) paradigm in mice.
- Employed electrophysiology and chemogenetics to study LC norepinephrine (NE) neurons.
Main Results:
- Female mice showed altered action potential repolarization in LC NE neurons.
- Male mice exhibited changes in inhibitory postsynaptic currents in LC NE neurons.
- Activating LC NE neurons reduced ethanol preference in males but decreased overall intake in females.
Conclusions:
- LC NE neurons display significant sexual dimorphism in regulating alcohol intake.
- These findings highlight LC NE neurons as a potential target for sex-specific interventions for alcohol use disorder.
