I was fascinated to read this report about Male fruit
flies that have been rejected by females drinking significantly more alcohol.
The authors of this report says the brain’s reward systems reinforce
behaviours required for species survival, including sex, food consumption, and
social interaction. Drugs of abuse co-opt these neural pathways, which can lead
to addiction.
The researchers used Drosophila melanogaster to investigate the relationship between
natural and drug rewards. The researchers think alcohol stimulates the flies'
brains as a "reward" akin to sexual conquest.
In males, mating increased, whereas sexual deprivation
reduced, neuropeptide F (NPF) levels. Activation or inhibition of the NPF system
in turn reduced or enhanced ethanol preference. According to the researcher NPF
levels are some kind of 'molecular signature' to the experience.
Sexual Deprivation Increases Ethanol Intake in
Drosophila
G. Shohat-Ophir1,2,, K. R. Kaun, R. Azanchi, U. Heberlein
Science 16 March 2012:
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