Neuropeptide Y Opposes Alcohol Effects on Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Release in Amygdala and Blocks the Transition to Alcohol Dependence

These results highlight NPY modulation of GABAergic signaling in central amygdala as a promising pharmacotherapeutic target for the treatment of alcoholism. Gamma-aminobutyric acid neurons in the CeA likely constitute a major point of convergence for neuromodulator systems recruited during the transition to alcohol dependence.