Intravenous Ethanol Administration and Operant Self-Administration Alter Extracellular Norepinephrine Concentration in the Mesocorticolimbic Systems of Male Long Evans Rats.

We conclude that acute EtOH stimulates both the locus coeruleus (which projects to the mPFC) and the nucleus tractus solitarius (which projects to the basal forebrain) noradrenergic neurons. Additionally, limited EtOH self-administration experience alters dialysate norepinephrine in the mPFC in a manner consistent with a decrease in tonic norepinephrine release. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanisms by which EtOH exerts these variable effects.