A NEW THERAPEUTIC TARGET FOR STRESS-RELATED RELAPSE

Grant number: 1079893 | Funding period: 2015 - 2018

Completed

Abstract

Relapse and hazardous drinking represent the most difficult clinical problems in treating patients with alcohol use disorders. We have identified a novel system in the brain for the regulation of stress-induced relapse. Successful completion of this project will indicate improved pharmacotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of alcoholism and drug abuse. Given the scale and costs of substance abuse disorders, improved therapeutic approaches will have immediate and sustained impact.

Related publications (13)

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ROLE OF BNST RELAXIN-3 SIGNALLING IN STRESS-INDUCED REINSTATEMENT: A CHARACTERIZATION OF RXFP3-EXPRESSING NEURONS

AJ Lawrence

2021-06-01

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Differential Level of RXFP3 Expression in Dopaminergic Neurons Within the Arcuate Nucleus, Dorsomedial Hypothalamus and Ventral Tegmental Area of RXFP3-Cre/tdTomato Mice

Lara M Voglsanger, Justin Read, Sarah S Ch'ng, Cary Zhang, Izel M Eraslan, Laura Gray, Leni R Rivera, Lee D Hamilton, Richard Williams, Andrew L Gundlach, Craig M Smith

2021-01-06

RXFP3 (relaxin-family peptide 3 receptor) is the cognate G-protein-coupled receptor for the neuropeptide, relaxin-3. RXFP3 is expr..

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Cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART) signalling in the central nucleus of the amygdala modulates stress-induced alcohol seeking

Leigh C Walker, Lexi J Hand, Bethany Letherby, Kate L Huckstep, Erin J Campbell, Andrew J Lawrence

2020-08-21

The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is a key hub of the neural circuitry regulating alcohol and stress interactions. However..

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Pattern of neural activation following yohimbine-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking in rats

Leigh C Walker, Hanna E Kastman, Andrew J Lawrence

2020-02-01

Alcohol use disorders represent an extensive socioeconomic burden, yet effective treatment options are suboptimal. A major hurdle ..

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Characterization of the relaxin family peptide receptor 3 system in the mouse bed nucleus of the stria terminalis

Sarah S Ch'ng, Jingjing Fu, Robyn M Brown, Craig M Smith, Mohammed Akhter Hossain, Stuart J McDougall, Andrew J Lawrence

2019-11-01

The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a critical node involved in stress and reward-related behaviors. Relaxin family ..

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The effect of acute or repeated stress on the corticotropin releasing factor system in the CRH-IRES-Cre mouse: A validation study

Leigh C Walker, Lara C Cornish, Andrew J Lawrence, Erin J Campbell

2019-08-01

Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) is a key component of stress responsivity, modulating related behaviors including anxiety and..

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Novel approaches to alcohol rehabilitation: Modification of stress-responsive brain regions through environmental enrichment

Terence Y Pang, Anthony J Hannan, Andrew J Lawrence

2019-02-01

Relapse remains the most prominent hurdle to successful rehabilitation from alcoholism. The neural mechanisms underlying relapse a..

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The intersection of stress and reward: BNST modulation of aversive and appetitive states

Sarah Ch'ng, Jingjing Fu, Robyn M Brown, Stuart J McDougall, Andrew J Lawrence

2018-12-20

The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is widely acknowledged as a brain structure that regulates stress and anxiety state..

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Nucleus incertus corticotrophin-releasing factor 1 receptor signalling regulates alcohol seeking in rats

Leigh C Walker, Hanna E Kastman, Jan A Koeleman, Craig M Smith, Christina J Perry, Elena V Krstew, Andrew L Gundlach, Andrew J Lawrence

2017-11-01

Alcoholism is a chronic relapsing disorder, and stress is a key precipitant of relapse. The nucleus incertus (NI) is highly respon..

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Central amygdala relaxin-3/relaxin family peptide receptor 3 signalling modulates alcohol seeking in rats

Leigh C Walker, Hanna E Kastman, Elena V Krstew, Andrew L Gundlach, Andrew J Lawrence

2017-10-01

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Alcohol use disorders are a leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide, and stress is a major trigger o..

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Role of Lateral Hypothalamic Orexin (Hypocretin) Neurons in Alcohol Use and Abuse: Recent Advances

LC Walker, SS Ch’ng, AJ Lawrence

2016-12-01

Purpose of Review: Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are chronic relapsing disorders with the modest efficacy of current medications. T..

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Nucleus incertus Orexin(2) receptors mediate alcohol seeking in rats

Hanna E Kastman, Anna Blasiak, Leigh Walker, Marcin Siwiec, Elena V Krstew, Andrew L Gundlach, Andrew J Lawrence

2016-11-01

Alcoholism is a chronic relapsing disorder and a major global health problem. Stress is a key precipitant of relapse in human alco..

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Relaxin-3 receptor (Rxfp3) gene deletion reduces operant sucrose-but not alcohol-responding in mice

AW Walker, CM Smith, AL Gundlach, AJ Lawrence

2015-11-01

The pervasive use of refined sugars in highly accessible, palatable foods and persistent exposure to reinforcing food-associated c..