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Study breakdown

Alcohol Releases Opioid Peptides From the Brain's Reward Center in Real Time

evidence
The takeaway

Acute ethanol released opioid peptides (endorphin, enkephalin) from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine reward center measured by microdialysis — the molecular event linking alcohol to pleasure.

Key finding

Acute ethanol released opioid peptides (endorphin, enkephalin) from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine reward center measured by microdialysis

What the researchers found

Acute ethanol released opioid peptides (endorphin, enkephalin) from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine reward center measured by microdialysis — the molecular event linking alcohol to pleasure.

Why it matters

Relevant for peptide research.

How the study worked

research study.

What this study cannot tell us

See abstract.

How to read the evidence

emerging evidence.

When this study was published

Published in 2009.

The bigger picture

Advances peptide research.

Questions still open

  • Further research needed.

Common questions

What was studied?
Alcohol Releases Opioid Peptides From the Brain's Reward Center in Real Time
What was found?
Acute ethanol released opioid peptides (endorphin, enkephalin) from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine reward center measured by microdialysis — the molecular event linking alcohol to pleasure.

Read the original research

Effect of acute ethanol administration on the release of opioid peptides from the midbrain including the ventral tegmental area.

Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research, 33(6), 1033-43

Citation

Jarjour, Samuel; Bai, Li; Gianoulakis, Christina. (2009). Effect of acute ethanol administration on the release of opioid peptides from the midbrain including the ventral tegmental area.. Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research, 33(6), 1033-43. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1530-0277.2009.00924.x