Chunk #40 — 3 Neural Substrates for the Negative Emotional State Associated with Alcoholism — 3.2 Between-System Neuroadaptations that Contribute to Compulsivity Associated with the Dark Side of Alcoholism
Perhaps more relevant to the present thesis are studies showing that intermittent alcohol exposure sensitizes withdrawal of anxiety-like responses and that administration of drug treatments during withdrawal from the first and second alcohol cycles blocked this sensitization of withdrawal (Knapp et al. 2004). Diazepam, flumazenil (a GABAA receptor partial agonist), and baclofen (a GABAB receptor agonist) blocked the sensitization of withdrawal, consistent with a within-system neuroadaptation (Knapp et al. 2004, 2005, 2007; see above). However, a CRF1, antagonist also prevented the sensitization of withdrawal-induced anxiety (Overstreet et al. 2004a. 2005). These results are consistent with a prolonged history of alcohol exposure producing persistent upregulation of both CRF and CRF1, receptors in the brain (Roberto et al. 2010; Sommer et al. 2008; Zorrilla et al. 2001).
