NEUROPEPTIDERGIC CONTROL OF ETHANOL INTAKE

Neural peptides found in brain and gut tissues modulate the intake of ethanol by animals and humans. Experiments show that injections of sul fated cholecystokinin octapeptide, tetradecapeptide bombesin, angioten sin, and the opioid receptor blockers, naloxone and naltrexone, potent ly reduce oral consumption of ethanol solutions. Vasoactive intestinal peptide, neuropeptide Y, and galanin increase ethanol intake, and inc reases in blood levels of the opioid peptide beta endorphin are associ ated with relapse in alcoholics. Specific neuropeptide receptor blocke rs increase ethanol intake and prevent injected cholecystokinin and bo mbesin from inhibiting ethanol intake. Recently, naltrexone (Revia(R)) has been approved by the FDA for wider clinical use in the treatment of alcoholism. These findings support the hypothesis of neuropeptiderg ic regulation of alcohol consumption and innovative therapies for alco holism.