Leptin: a modulator of alcohol craving?
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 7, 2026

A Method for Evaluating the Reinforcing Properties of Ethanol in Rats without Water Deprivation, Saccharin Fading or Extended Access Training
Published on: January 29, 2017
F Kiefer1, H Jahn, M Jaschinski
1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
Background:
Leptin has been shown to regulate food intake and energy expenditure. Because leptin acts via regulation of appetite, we studied the hypothesis that suggests leptin modulates craving for alcohol as well.
Methods:
We studied leptin plasma concentrations (RIA) both in alcoholic subjects during inpatient detoxification (day 1: n = 78, day 14: n = 60) and in healthy control subjects (n = 30). To rule out interference with the activation of the HPA axis during alcohol withdrawal, we also evaluated cortisol plasma levels (RIA).
Results:
We found plasma leptin and cortisol elevated at onset of withdrawal, decreasing significantly up to day 14. Leptin (and the body-mass corrected ratio leptin/BMI) was highly correlated with self-rated craving. No correlations of craving with cortisol and BMI were observed.
Conclusions:
We suggest that leptin may modulate withdrawal-induced craving in alcoholic subjects.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Regulation of Food Intake
Drug Dependence
Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Release or Uptake

