Research findings show that withdrawal symptoms are reduced when a compound that blocks related brain nerve receptors is administered.
Posted on 04.07.2024 at 08.40 Posted on 04.07.2024 at 08.40 Modified on 04.05.2024 at 10.47 Views 2,442
A study in rats showed that administration of a compound that blocks the kappa opioid receptor (KOP), a brain nerve receptor that causes alcohol craving, reduced withdrawal symptoms. [사진=게티이미지뱅크]There have been promising research results for patients with alcohol addiction. Withdrawal symptoms were significantly reduced in rats given a compound that blocks the kappa opioid receptor (KOP), a brain nerve receptor that causes alcohol craving.
This is what was reported on the 1st (local time) by the medical and health webzine “Health Day” based on an article by researchers from the Scripps Research Institute in the United States published in Scientific Reports last month.
The compound, called LY2444296, appears to block the KOP system, which is thought to be involved in alcohol use disorders, the researchers said. The KOP system is known to direct a variety of brain responses, including analgesic effects, addiction, emotion, pain, and reward seeking.
“KOP is involved in many mental disorders such as anxiety and depression, so compounds designed to selectively block it are attracting attention,” explained Professor Remy Martin Pardon (molecular medicine) at the Scripps Research Institute and co-principal investigator. He said that as a result of this experiment, “I think blocking the KOP system will prevent alcohol abuse.”
The researchers conducted an animal experiment in which LY2444296, which blocks KOP, was administered to experimental white rats that had developed alcohol dependence. Experimental rats were administered a relatively low dose of LY2444296 approximately 8 hours after the last alcohol intake. This is around the same range that people start to experience severe withdrawal symptoms.
As a result, the alcohol withdrawal behavior exhibited by other rats was “significantly reduced,” the researchers reported. The researchers were surprised that LY2444296 was effective in such a short period of time. This is because previous KOP blockers did not appear to have any effect on alcohol withdrawal. Furthermore, no side effects were found, the researchers said.
The exact reason for the LY2444296 effect is not yet clear. Professor Martin Pardon said: “People drink to deal with withdrawal symptoms. In most cases, drinking alcohol is the only way to solve the problem.” He thought that perhaps taking LY2444296 before withdrawal symptoms set in would “reduce the symptoms, so you might feel better and drink less.”
But research still has a long way to go. Researchers don’t yet know which parts of the brain to target to maximize the benefits of LY2444296. Once we understand this, we can move on to clinical trials in humans.
“We are also interested in which brain regions change as a function of alcohol dependence,” said Francisco Flores Ramirez, a postdoctoral researcher at the Screbs Institute and first author of the paper. “Maybe we can target them to see if LY2444296 can reverse both drinking and relapse behavior,” he said.
The document can be found at the following link:
“Copyright ⓒ ‘Honest Knowledge for Health’ Comedy.com ( / Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution, AI learning and use prohibited”
#People #stop #drinking.. #reduce #cravings #alcohol
