# Probing central amygdala neurotensin neurons in alcohol consumption

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2024 · $397,117

## Abstract

Project Summary
Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) impart a huge financial (in excess of $250 billion) and societal strain. In order to
develop pharmacological and behavioral therapies to treat AUDs, therefore, it is important to understand the
neural circuitry and neuroadaptation that occurs in the transition to excessive consumption of alcohol use. The
focus of this application is on a population of neurotensin (NTS) neurons the central nucleus of the amygdala
(CeA). Utilizing genetic, cre-recombinase strategies in conjunction with selective lesioning (caspase3) and
optogenetic (channel rhodopsin) strategies, we have found that these neurons, via their projections to the
parabrachial nucleus (PBN), regulate both excessive consumption of alcohol, and reward-like behaviors. In this
proposal we hypothesize that GABAergic signaling within the NTSCeA and in the NTSCeAPBN mediates
reward and ethanol consumption behaviors. We will explore this hypothesis over 3 converging aims. Aim 1
will probe the role of signaling molecules within NTSCeA neurons on reward, alcohol consumption and
appetitive behavior. Aim 2 will further probe the role of GABAergic signaling within the NTSCeAPBN projection.
Finally, Aim 3 will explore physiological adaptation within these circuits. Together, these aims provide an
innovative framework to discern how specific projections within the brain are influencing the reward behavior
and consumption of alcohol.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10877062
- **Project number:** 5R01AA026363-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Zoe Anastasia McElligott
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $397,117
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-09-10 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10877062

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10877062, Probing central amygdala neurotensin neurons in alcohol consumption (5R01AA026363-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10877062. Licensed CC0.

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