The opioid peptide response to alcohol in adult rats depended on their early life environment (maternal separation history), demonstrating gene-environment interaction for addiction vulnerability through the opioid system.
Key findingEthanol-induced changes in brain opioid peptides (dynorphin, enkephalin) in adult Wistar rats were modulated by early postnatal environment (maternal
What the researchers found
Ethanol-induced changes in brain opioid peptides (dynorphin, enkephalin) in adult Wistar rats were modulated by early postnatal environment (maternal separation), demonstrating gene × early environment interaction programming adult opioid system alcohol sensitivity.
Why it matters
Relevant for opioid-peptides, addiction, neuropeptides.
How the study worked
animal-study study on opioid-peptides, addiction.
What this study cannot tell us
See abstract.
How to read the evidence
preliminary evidence.
When this study was published
Published in 2007.
The bigger picture
Advances peptide research.
Questions still open
- Further research needed.
- Clinical translation to evaluate.
Common questions
What was studied?
What was found?
Read the original research
Ethanol-induced effects on opioid peptides in adult male Wistar rats are dependent on early environmental factors.
Neuroscience, 146(3), 1137-49
Citation
Gustafsson, L; Zhou, Q; Nylander, I. (2007). Ethanol-induced effects on opioid peptides in adult male Wistar rats are dependent on early environmental factors.. Neuroscience, 146(3), 1137-49.