Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is known to mediate anti-stress effects, typically opposing behavioral actions of CRF (Sajdyk et al., 2006). NPY, a 36-amino acid peptide, produces these effects primarily through actions at Y1 and Y2 receptors in brain. NPY exerts anxiolytic effects in a number of behavioral tasks, an effect thought to be mediated by interaction with Y1 receptors in the amygdala (Heilig et al., 1993; Thorsell, 2008). There is evidence indicating a relationship between NPY activity (primarily in the CeA) and alcohol consumption. For example, rats selectively bred for high alcohol preference exhibit low NPY mRNA and peptide levels in the CeA, an effect that was reversed when the rats were given the opportunity to consume alcohol (Pandey et al., 2005). Viral mediated overexpression of NPY in the amygdala was shown to reduce alcohol drinking in rats identified as being highly anxious (Primeaux et al., 2006) or following periods of forced abstinence (Thorsell et al., 2007). Also, infusion of NPY in brain ventricles (icv.) reduced stress-induced relapse-like behavior in rats (Cippitelli et al., 2010).
