Pro-inflammatory microglia drive escalated alcohol consumption during early abstinence
Paige E. Anton, Baylee R. Materia, Dennis F. Lovelock, Samuel A McDonald, Scott Lyons, Angie L. Mordant, Laura E. Herring, Joyce Besheer, Leon G. Coleman
The paper shows that pro-inflammatory microglia increase IRF7 levels and ethanol self-administration in rats during early abstinence, which is reduced by minocycline treatment.
bioRxiv · Sep 15, 2026 · PreprintNeuroscience