Peripheral mechanoreceptor activation modulates mesolimbic GABA and dopamine neurons and ameliorates withdrawal symptoms in ethanol dependent rats

Peripheral MStim provided protection against chronic EtOH withdrawal symptoms and dependence-induced insensitivity of ventral tegmental area (VTA) GABA neurons to ethanol reintroduction. Behavioral indices of withdrawal were substantively ameliorated with concurrent MStim treatment. These findings suggest the need to explore the specific role of mechanoreceptor-based therapies in the treatment of substance abuse

Exercise Blocks Ethanol-Induced Kappa Opioid Receptor Sensitization in Nucleus Accumbens and Ventral Tegmental Area

Exercise has been increasingly used as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Despite this, the mechanism by which it influences the mesolimbic circuitry changes underlying alcohol addiction is not well understood. Previous studies have shown alcohol dependence to lead to upregulation of the Dynorphin-Kappa Opioid Receptor (KOR) system, making it a potential target for therapeutics. Thus, gaining a better understanding of these pathways will help develop evidence-based guidelines for integrating exercise into therapies for the treatment of AUD