Disulfiram, a drug commonly prescribed to treat chronic alcohol addiction, was shown to reduce anxiety levels in rodent models. The drug inhibits FROUNT protein and chemokine signaling pathways under its influence, suppressing overall glutamate transmission in the brain. This, in turn, helps reduce overall activity. The findings may signal a new way to treat anxiety in humans.
Men with alcohol use disorder have diminished brain activity in areas associated with emotional processing, memory and social processing, compared to women with AUD. The findings may lead to gender-specific treatments to help relieve addition to alcohol.
18 genetic variants have been identified which appear to be associated with alcohol use disorder and heavy drinking. Of these genes, five were overlapped, eight were associated with heavy consumption and five were linked to an increased risk of AUD. The study concluded that while heavy drinking is a risk factor for alcoholism, it is not a sufficient cause of the disorder.
Optogenetic inactivation of CRF neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala decreases escalation of alcohol consumption and intensity of withdrawal in rodent models of alcoholism. The findings suggest a potential target for treating excessive drinking in alcohol use disorder.
Neuroimaging research from NIH/NIAAA provides a new method to characterize how brain activity relates to glucose consumption, which could help us understand how alcohol and other substances and activities affect our brains.
A new study reveals the combination of ketamine with naltrexone can help treat symptoms of both depression and addiction.
According to researchers, those who live in colder regions with less daytime sun light drink more alcohol than those who live in warm areas. Climate, researchers say, may impact the prevalence of alcoholism and alcoholic cirrhosis.
Researchers identify a driving network for compulsivity in those with alcohol use disorders. The study reports heavy drinkers have more activity in the prefronal cortex, insular and striatum, areas of the brain critical for reward and decision making.
Researchers say teens who start drinking prior to age 15 and who also binge drink are more likely to have memory problems as adults. Additionally, early binge drinking may indicate later risk for developing alcoholism.