The Effects of Xenon and Nitrous Oxide Gases on Alcohol Relapse. (7th October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vengeliene, Valentina; Bessiere, Baptiste; Pype, Jan; Spanagel, Rainer
• Is Part Of: Alcoholism. Volume 38:Number 2(2014:Feb.)
• Page Start: 557
• Page End: 563
• Publication Date: 2013-10-07
• Subjects: Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Alcoolisme; Electronic journals; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.861005
• DOI: 10.1111/acer.12264
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-6008

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="acer12264-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="acer12264-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>In recent years, the glutamate theory of alcoholism has emerged as a major theory in the addiction research field and <italic>N</italic>‐methyl‐<sc>d</sc>‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors have been shown to play a major role in alcohol craving and relapse. The NMDA receptors are considered as the primary side of action of the anesthetic gases xenon (Xe) and nitrous oxide (N<sub>2</sub>O). Despite the rapid on/off kinetics of these gases on the NMDA receptor, a brief gas exposure can induce an analgesic or antireward effect lasting several days. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of both Xe and N<sub>2</sub>O on alcohol‐seeking and relapse‐like drinking behavior (measured as the alcohol deprivation effect) in Wistar rats.</p> </sec> <sec id="acer12264-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>We used 2 standard procedures—the alcohol deprivation model with repeated deprivation phases and the cue‐induced reinstatement model of alcohol seeking—to study the effect of 2 brief gas exposures of either Xe, N<sub>2</sub>O, or control gas on relapse‐like drinking and alcohol‐seeking behavior.</p> </sec> <sec id="acer12264-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Here, we show that exposure to Xe during the last 24 hours of abstinence produced a trend toward reduced ethanol intake during the first alcohol re‐exposure days. In addition, Xe gas exposure significantly decreased the cue‐induced reinstatement of alcohol‐seeking behavior. N<sub>2</sub>O had no effect on either behavior.</p> </sec> <sec id="acer12264-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Xe reduces alcohol‐seeking behavior in rats and may therefore also interfere with craving in human alcoholics.</p> </sec> </abstract>