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Recent Perspectives on Sex Differences in Compulsion-Like and Binge Alcohol Drinking.

Authors :
Radke AK
Sneddon EA
Frasier RM
Hopf FW
Source :
International journal of molecular sciences [Int J Mol Sci] 2021 Apr 06; Vol. 22 (7). Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Apr 06.
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Alcohol use disorder remains a substantial social, health, and economic problem and problem drinking levels in women have been increasing in recent years. Understanding whether and how the underlying mechanisms that drive drinking vary by sex is critical and could provide novel, more targeted therapeutic treatments. Here, we examine recent results from our laboratories and others which we believe provide useful insights into similarities and differences in alcohol drinking patterns across the sexes. Findings for binge intake and aversion-resistant, compulsion-like alcohol drinking are considered, since both are likely significant contributors to alcohol problems in humans. We also describe studies regarding mechanisms that may underlie sex differences in maladaptive alcohol drinking, with some focus on the importance of nucleus accumbens (NAcb) core and shell regions, several receptor types (dopamine, orexin, AMPA-type glutamate), and possible contributions of sex hormones. Finally, we discuss how stressors such as early life stress and anxiety-like states may interact with sex differences to contribute to alcohol drinking. Together, these findings underscore the importance and critical relevance of studying female and male mechanisms for alcohol and co-morbid conditions to gain a true and clinically useful understanding of addiction and neuropsychiatric mechanisms and treatment.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1422-0067
Volume :
22
Issue :
7
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
International journal of molecular sciences
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
33917517
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22073788