PARAVENTRICULAR THALAMUS PROVIDES A POLYSYNAPTIC BRAKE ON LIMBIC CRF NEURONS TO SEX-DEPENDENTLY BLUNT RISKY ALCOHOL DRINKING AND AVOIDANCE BEHAVIOR

Bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) neurons that synthesize and release the stress neuropeptide corticotropin- releasing factor (CRF) drive binge alcohol drinking and anxiety, behaviors that are primary risk factors for alcohol use disorder (AUD) and comorbid neuropsychiatric diseases more common in women than men. Here, we show that female C57BL/6J mice binge drink more than males and have greater basal BNSTCRF neuron excitability and synaptic excitation