Title
The Comorbidity of PTSD and Alcohol Use in Rodents and the Role of a D3 Receptor Antagonist
Department, Center, or Institute
Psychology
Secondary Department, Center, or Institute
Neuroscience
Presentation Format
Department Organized Oral Session
Presentation Type
On-campus research
Description
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that may occur in people who have witnessed or experienced a traumatic event. It is most commonly seen among combat veterans, rape victims, and first responders. The neurological mechanism for the development and symptoms of PTSD is thought to involve a dysregulation of the stress-response pathway. In response to PTSD, many individuals will self-medicate with alcohol as a way to cope with the distressing symptoms. This can lead to the development of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), which involves a dysregulation of the mesolimbic dopamine pathway, or reward pathway. This comorbidity is thought to be due to the overlap of brain structures involved in both the stress-response pathway and the reward pathway. Additionally, the dopamine D3 receptor plays a crucial role in both PTSD and AUD. Despite the comorbidity of PTSD and AUD, these disorders have primarily been explored separately. Our research aimed at investigating the relationship between PTSD and AUD and the role of a D3 receptor antagonist in male Sprague-Dawley rats. For our model of PTSD-like symptoms, we used a modified Single-Prolonged Stress (SPS) model and paired an auditory tone with a traumatic experience. Following SPS, the animals’
Department Organized Oral Session Title
Neuroscience Program Talks Session III
Moderator/Professor
Erin Wamsley, Psychology and Neuroscience
Session Number
3
Start Date and Time
4-9-2019 1:45 PM
Location
Johns Hall 208
Recommended Citation
Foster, Alexandra and Sarhan, Mutaz, "The Comorbidity of PTSD and Alcohol Use in Rodents and the Role of a D3 Receptor Antagonist" (2019). Furman Engaged!. 402.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/furmanengaged/2019/all/402
The Comorbidity of PTSD and Alcohol Use in Rodents and the Role of a D3 Receptor Antagonist
Johns Hall 208
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that may occur in people who have witnessed or experienced a traumatic event. It is most commonly seen among combat veterans, rape victims, and first responders. The neurological mechanism for the development and symptoms of PTSD is thought to involve a dysregulation of the stress-response pathway. In response to PTSD, many individuals will self-medicate with alcohol as a way to cope with the distressing symptoms. This can lead to the development of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), which involves a dysregulation of the mesolimbic dopamine pathway, or reward pathway. This comorbidity is thought to be due to the overlap of brain structures involved in both the stress-response pathway and the reward pathway. Additionally, the dopamine D3 receptor plays a crucial role in both PTSD and AUD. Despite the comorbidity of PTSD and AUD, these disorders have primarily been explored separately. Our research aimed at investigating the relationship between PTSD and AUD and the role of a D3 receptor antagonist in male Sprague-Dawley rats. For our model of PTSD-like symptoms, we used a modified Single-Prolonged Stress (SPS) model and paired an auditory tone with a traumatic experience. Following SPS, the animals’