Estrogen linked to binge drinking

Abstract

Although increasing evidence suggests that the sex hormone estrogen (E2) is associated with alcohol consumption in humans, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully characterized. A study in mice provides new insights into these mechanisms by showing that E2 exerts its pro-drinking effects by activating neurons in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). The investigators exposed male and female mice to a binge-drinking alcohol paradigm and measured alcohol consumption. They showed that female mice displayed greater binge alcohol drinking when they were in the proestrus phase —a phase where E2 levels are high— compared to when they were in other estrous cycle phases with lower E2 levels. Alcohol consumption was similar in low E2 females and males, confirming that ovarian E2 contributes to higher alcohol consumption in females. Using chemogenetics and calcium imaging approaches, the team also demonstrated that E2 promoted binge drinking in female mice by activating BNST neurons that synthesize and release the corticotropin-releasing factor. These findings could guide the development of new interventions for the prevention and treatment of harmful alcohol use, especially in women.

Original reference: Zallar, L.J. et al. Nat. Commun. 15, 10725 (2024)