GABA Release From Central Amygdala Neurotensin Neurons Differentially Modulates Reward and Consummatory Behavior in Male and Female Mice

The central nucleus of the amygdala is known to play key roles in alcohol use and affect. Neurotensin neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala have been shown to regulate alcohol drinking in male mice. However, little is known about which neurotransmitters released by these specific cells drive alcohol consumption or whether these cells drive alcohol consumption in female mice. Here we show that knockdown of GABA release from central amygdala neurotensin neurons using a vGAT-shRNA-based AAV strategy reduces alcohol drinking in male, but not female, mice. This manipulation did not impact avoidance behavioral assays, except in a fasted novelty-suppressed feeding test, in which vGAT shRNA mice of both sexes demonstrated increased latency to feed on a familiar high-value food reward. These data show a role for GABA release from central amygdala neurotensin neurons in modulating consumption of rewarding substances in different motivational states.