The negative effects of alcohol hangover on high-anxiety phenotype rats are influenced by the glutamate receptors of the dorsal midbrain

► LA and HA rats were tested under alcohol hangover. ► Anxiety and blood-alcohol levels were analyzed at the moment of the hangover phase. ► Glutamatergic excitatory tonus in DPAG was blocked. ► HA rats are more sensitive to the reinforcer effects of alcohol during hangover. ► These effects are possibly mediated by NMDA and AMPA receptors in DPAG.