All articles tagged with #alcohol use disorder
In rats, heightened anterior insula activity just before choosing correlates with a bias toward alcohol over social rewards, revealing a neural mechanism that could explain the prioritization seen in alcohol use disorder and identifying the anterior insula as a potential target for interventions to restore balanced decision-making.
Rodents treated with tirzepatide (Mounjaro) drank more than half as much alcohol as controls, showed fewer relapse-like drinking episodes, and exhibited reduced alcohol-induced dopamine spikes in the brain’s reward center, the lateral septum. The drug also altered histone-related proteins, suggesting possible long-term neural changes. While promising, human trials are needed to confirm efficacy for alcohol use disorder, though tirzepatide’s established safety profile could speed future research.
Three FDA-approved meds (naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram) can treat alcohol use disorder but are widely underused due to stigma, limited clinician training, and marketing gaps, with only a fraction of diagnosed patients receiving them; meanwhile GLP-1 weight‑loss drugs (like Ozempic) are being studied for reducing drinking, but evidence is not yet conclusive, underscoring the need to treat alcohol use disorder like other chronic diseases by improving access and awareness.
A Rhode Island nonprofit’s Open Doors pilot is giving free weekly GLP-1 injections (semaglutide–based) to women in addiction recovery, with participants reporting reduced cravings, steadier thinking, and improved life stability. While some studies hint GLP-1s dampen the rewarding effects of drugs and alcohol, the medications are not FDA-approved for addiction and funding for the pilot runs for 18 months, raising questions about long-term access. Experts urge cautious optimism, noting risks if treatment is stopped and that this is not a universal cure.
A study found that overgrowth of the gut fungus Candida albicans increases PGE2 levels, which cross into the brain and alter dopamine signaling, leading to decreased alcohol preference in mice; blocking PGE2 restores drinking behavior, highlighting a potential new target for treating alcohol use disorder.
Scientists from Scripps Research identified a brain region in rats, the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT), that becomes active during alcohol withdrawal and relapse, shedding light on how negative reinforcement drives addiction and potentially guiding new treatments.
A clinical trial found that the dopamine-enhancing drug tolcapone improves self-control and reduces alcohol consumption in people with alcohol use disorder by increasing activity in brain regions involved in inhibitory control, suggesting targeted dopamine modulation as a promising treatment approach.
Alcohol use disorder affects over 10% of Americans, with rising death rates and significant links to mental health issues and genetics; despite its prevalence, most affected individuals do not receive adequate treatment, highlighting a critical public health challenge.
Alcohol use disorder affects over 10% of Americans, with rising death rates and significant links to mental health and genetics; despite its prevalence, most affected individuals do not receive adequate treatment, highlighting a critical public health issue.
A study in mice suggests that fewer than 500 neurons in the medial orbitofrontal cortex act as an 'off switch' for binge drinking, potentially leading to new treatments for alcohol use disorder if similar mechanisms are found in humans.
A small study found that a single high dose of psilocybin, combined with psychological support, can significantly reduce alcohol consumption and cravings in individuals with severe alcohol use disorder, with effects lasting at least 12 weeks, though larger controlled studies are needed to confirm these findings.
GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs like Ozempic, initially used for weight loss, are showing potential in reducing cravings for alcohol and other substances. Studies indicate that these drugs may lower the risk of alcohol use disorder and reduce nicotine and opioid overuse by influencing dopamine pathways in the brain. While not yet approved for treating substance use disorders, these drugs could revolutionize addiction treatment if further research supports their efficacy. Experts are hopeful that GLP-1 drugs could become a major tool in addiction therapy, similar to how SSRIs transformed depression treatment.
A study by Case Western Reserve University found that diabetes drugs Wegovy and Ozempic, which contain semaglutide, significantly reduce the risk and recurrence of alcohol-use disorder by 50%-56%. This discovery suggests a potential new treatment for AUD, though further clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.
Vermont is facing a high rate of alcohol use disorder, with the state ranking second in the nation for this issue. The pandemic has led to an increase in alcohol misuse among older adults, with addiction recovery centers reporting a growing number of elderly individuals seeking help for alcohol dependency. Despite the prevalence of alcohol-related health problems, the cultural acceptance of alcohol makes it difficult for people to admit they have a problem and seek help. This issue has received less attention compared to the opioid epidemic, despite consistently affecting more people.
Researchers have discovered that inhibiting stress-related neurons may reduce alcohol consumption in individuals with both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD), without affecting trauma-related anxiety. The study highlights the role of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) producing neurons in the central amygdala in regulating alcohol use in response to stress. This research opens up new possibilities for treating individuals with comorbid PTSD and AUD by potentially targeting specific neural pathways involved in stress-induced drinking behaviors.