Scientists found an area of the brain responsible for chronic drinking

An area in the brain that controls drinking has been identified by scientists from the Medical University of South Carolina (USA). An article describing the study is published in the journal Medical Xpress. Scientists conducted experiments on mice. They were able to isolate the brain region of one of the opoid kappa receptors responsible for the desire to drink. When this opoid receptor is disabled, the desire to drink decreases. Typically, opoid receptors sense the effects of narcotic drugs and broadcast pleasure signals. The discovered kappa receptor instead of pleasure causes stress and dissatisfaction. By deactivating the area of opoid kappa receptors in the brain of the mouse, scientists have achieved a reduction in the desire to drink. They did not rule it out at all, but reduced it several times. Scientists believe that the development of this method will allow to combat chronic heavy drinking.