The Role of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor (CRF) Signaling in the Ventral Tegmental Area in the Regulation of Binge-Like Alcohol Consumption

Binge drinking is a pattern of excessive alcohol consumption related to numerous health problems, notably alcohol dependence. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) signaling within the ventral tegmental area (VTA) is known to regulate dependence-induced alcohol consumption. It remains unclear which receptors regulate binge-like consumption. This study utilized the drinking-in-the-dark design to examine how intra-VTA CRF-1 receptor (CRF-1R) antagonism and CRF-2R agonism influenced binge-like alcohol drinking. Blockade of CRF signaling, by CRF-1R antagonism or CRF-2R autoreceptor activation, reduced binge-alcohol consumption. It was also unknown whether CRF-mediated effects were the result of local VTA interneurons or projection neurons from other brain regions. Transgene expression of eGFP in the VTA of CRFCre mice confirmed the presence of local CRF interneurons. By confirming the role of CRF receptors within the VTA in binge-alcohol consumption and establishing the presence of local CRF neurons in the VTA, this study clarifies the CRF-mediated effects on binge-like alcohol consumption and identifies a potential new mechanism mediating alcohol consumption.Bachelor of Scienc