Drug Has Potential to Prevent Alcoholics From Relapsing
Posted Aug 03 2008 4:03pm
OHSU scientist identifies brain receptor that triggers euphoric feelings from alcohol as well as a drug that blocks the heightened pleasure alcoholics experience when they resume drinking
An experimental drug that blocks the euphoric feelings associated with drinking may prevent alcoholics from relapsing. The finding, the result of a mouse study at Oregon Health & Science University, could lead to human clinical trials within the next year.
“We showed we could block behavior in mice that resembles this increased euphoria even after the animals had been given a lot of alcohol,” said Tamara Phillips, Ph.D., professor and vice chair of the behavioral neuroscience department at OHSU and a research scientist at the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center. “That’s what you want in a treatment, because we don’t get to people until after they become addicted to alcohol.”
Earlier research has shown that some people’s brains become sensitized as a result of chronic exposure to alcohol. This change in the brain does not subside after people quit drinking. So when they begin consuming alcohol again, “they get a bigger jolt,” Phillips said.
OHSU scientist identifies brain receptor that triggers euphoric feelings from alcohol as well as a drug that blocks the heightened pleasure alcoholics experience when they resume drinking
An experimental drug that blocks the euphoric feelings associated with drinking may prevent alcoholics from relapsing. The finding, the result of a mouse study at Oregon Health & Science University, could lead to human clinical trials within the next year.
“We showed we could block behavior in mice that resembles this increased euphoria even after the animals had been given a lot of alcohol,” said Tamara Phillips, Ph.D., professor and vice chair of the behavioral neuroscience department at OHSU and a research scientist at the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center. “That’s what you want in a treatment, because we don’t get to people until after they become addicted to alcohol.”
Earlier research has shown that some people’s brains become sensitized as a result of chronic exposure to alcohol. This change in the brain does not subside after people quit drinking. So when they begin consuming alcohol again, “they get a bigger jolt,” Phillips said.
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