Regulation of alcohol-seeking by orexin (hypocretin) neurons

Orexins (hypocretins) are found primarily within a restricted portion of neurons within the hypothalamus, but provide innervation across the neuraxis. Orexin A (hypocretin 1) has been implicated in drug and food reward. Not surprisingly therefore, interest has come to bear on whether orexins are implicated in aspects of alcohol consumption and/or seeking. This mini-review provides a concise, but timely, discussion on this issue. The evidence to date would suggest a role for orexins in alcohol use, and integration of orexin-containing neurons in reward-seeking circuitry. There are however still many unanswered questions, some of which are canvassed herein. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.