This inhibitory neuropeptide affects appetitive behaviors and emotion (Foroud et al., 2000; Hayes et al., 2005; Heilig and Widerlov, 1995; Hwang et al., 1999; Levine and Morley, 1984). Mice deficient in NPY demonstrate higher alcohol intake and lower sensitivity, rodents with high NPY have lower alcohol intake (Badia-Elder et al., 2003; Ehlers et al., 1998; Gilpen et al., 2003; Teacott and Hebelein, 1998; Thiele et al., 2000; Zhu et al., 2003), and a QTL related to alcohol consumption in rats might involve NPY (Carr et al., 1998). A relevant variant is rs16147 in the promotor region in the NPY gene (7p15.3), and another chromosomal region is a Leu7Pro missense variant in the signal peptide of human NPY where sensitivity is lower with the Leu allele (Lappalainen et al., 2002). The latter genotype is also related to heavier alcohol intake and AUDs in some studies (Hu et al., 2005; Kauhanen et al., 2000; Zhou et al., 2008).
