2017•Addiction BiologyRequires access
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Abstract
The addictive behavior of the rat to self-administer ethanol in the posterior-ventral tegmental area was significantly promoted by noradrenergic agents. While silencing of the noradrenergic neurons of the locus coeruleus suppressed the craving for ethanol, the addiction was fully reinstated by noradrenergic agents. We provide behavioral as well as neuroanatomical evidences demonstrating that two-way communication between locus coeruleus and ventral tegmental area is essential for ethanol reinforcement and addiction.