New target to prevent, treat identified alcoholism – ScienceDaily

Scientists at Oregon's National Center for Research on Oasis primates found a gene that had a lower expression in the brain of non-human primates that voluntarily consumed large amounts of alcohol compared to those who drank less.

In addition, the research team has uncovered a link between alcohol and how it modulates the activity levels of that particular gene. The researchers found that, when they increased the levels of protein encoded by the gene in mice, they reduced alcohol consumption by up to 50% without affecting the total amount of fluid consumed or their well-being. to be general.

The study was recently published online in the journal neuropsychopharmacology.

The study altered levels of the protein encoded by a single gene – GPR39 – which is a zinc binding receptor previously badociated with depression. Prevalence rates for concomitant mood and alcohol use disorders are high, with people with alcohol use disorder being 3.7 times more likely to suffer from major depression than those with a history of alcohol abuse. do not abuse alcohol. Using a commercially available substance that mimics the activity of the GPR39 protein, the researchers found that targeting this gene significantly reduced alcohol consumption in mice.

"The study underscores the importance of using interspecies approaches to identify and test drugs relevant to the treatment of alcoholism disorder," said lead author Rita Cervera -Juanes, Ph.D., badistant research professor in the divisions of Neuroscience and Genetics at ONPRC.

To determine if the same mechanism affects people, this team of researchers is currently examining post-mortem tissue samples taken from the brains of people with alcoholism.

At present, there is only a handful of alcoholism treatments approved by the Food and Drug Administration. By testing the effect of the substance on the reduction of ethanol consumption in mice – in addition to its link with the reduction of depression-type symptoms mentioned earlier – the results could indicate the way forward for develop a drug that prevents and treats both chronic alcoholism and mood disorders. at people's Place.

"We are discovering new targets for which there are already medicines, and they can be reused to treat other conditions," said Cervera-Juanes. "For alcoholism, it's huge because there are currently only a handful of FDA-approved medications."

The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and specifically awards grants P51OD011092, AA020928, AA019431, AA024757 and OD011092.

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Material provided by University of Health and Sciences of Oregon. Original written by Erik Robinson. Note: Content can be changed for style and length.