Pharmacologic hyperreactivity of kappa opioid receptors in periaqueductal gray matter during alcohol withdrawal syndrome in rats.
Pharmacological reports : PR October 1, 2023 Priscila Vázquez-león, Abraham Miranda-Páez, Hugo Sánchez-Castillo et al.
In rats undergoing alcohol withdrawal, stimulating kappa-opioid receptors (KOR) in the dorsal periaqueductal gray (D-PAG) with salvinorin A increased anxiety-like behaviors and alcohol consumption and preference, while blocking KOR with PF-04455242 reduced anxiety-like behaviors and increased exploration without affecting alcohol intake. These effects were stronger in alcohol-withdrawal rats than in alcohol-naïve rats, suggesting that KOR in the PAG become hyperreactive during alcohol withdrawal and may contribute to anxiety and increased drinking.