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Abstract
Alcoholism involves cycles of excessive ethanol intake, abstinence, and relapse, with stress playing a key role in drinking behavior. This dissertation investigates how the centrally projecting Edinger-Westphal nucleus (EWcp) and its neuropeptide urocortin-1 (Ucn1) influence voluntary ethanol consumption using C57BL/6J mouse models. Genetic profiling revealed EWcp-enriched genes associated with high ethanol intake. Lesion and knockout studies demonstrated that EWcp-Ucn1 drives ethanol preference and conditioned reward. Viral-mediated Ucn1 knockdown reduced long-term drinking and anxiety-like behavior. These findings identify EWcp-Ucn1 as a critical regulator of ethanol consumption and stress-related behaviors, offering insight for future treatments targeting addiction and psychiatric disorders.