Figure 2.
LC and CeA circuitry in stress and alcohol use disorder. The LC sends noradrenergic projections to the CeA, while the CeA sends GABAergic and CRF-positive projections to the LC. During stress or alcohol withdrawal, LC activity increases and sends enhanced noradrenergic input to the CeA. This in turn increases GABA/CRF neuron activity in the CeA resulting in a feedforward-loop causing enhanced LC and CeA activity in stress and alcohol withdrawal. This enhanced activity contributes to an increase in both anxiety-like behaviors and alcohol consumption in rodents.