Scripps study identifies potential drug treatment option for alcoholism

The cellular mechanisms that govern the transition from alcohol use to alcohol dependency are exposed in a study conducted by Professor Marisa Roberto, a Scripps Research Associate. The study focused on interactions between two combating agents; the first is a stress peptide that promotes excessive alcohol consumption, the second is an anti-stress peptide that fights excessive alcohol consumption. Results confirm that drugs derived from the anti-stress peptide have great potential to treat alcoholism. In animal models, the anti-peptide helped to prevent, if not totally reverse, cellular effects of alcohol dependency. Though this may lead to a drug to fight alcoholism, scientists mention that alcohol abuse and dependency will need to be combated with a combination of treatments.



SOURCE: Scripps News Release