This study examined changes in gene expression in response to alcohol in the VTA of P rats with a history of excessive binge drinking. The changes reflect the effects of the combination of a high brain ethanol concentration plus a history of binge drinking on gene expression in the VTA examined 3 hours after the last drinking episode. Samples taken at later time points after the last binge drinking episode will likely show different patterns of genes being expressed between the ethanol and water groups.
