Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Murine Drinking Models in the Development of Pharmacotherapies for Alcoholism: Drinking in the Dark and Two-bottle Choice
07:31

Murine Drinking Models in the Development of Pharmacotherapies for Alcoholism: Drinking in the Dark and Two-bottle Choice

Published on: January 7, 2019

[Pharmacological treatment options for prevention of alcohol relapse]

A Heberlein1, S Bleich, J Kornhuber

  • 1Psychiatrische und Psychotherapeutische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Schwabachanlage 6, Erlangen. annemarie.heberlein@uk-erlangen.de

Fortschritte Der Neurologie-Psychiatrie
|July 8, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Understanding alcohol craving subtypes is key to effective relapse prevention. New therapies targeting specific neurotransmitter systems may improve treatment outcomes for alcohol dependence.

Area of Science:

  • Neurobiology
  • Neuropharmacology
  • Addiction Medicine

Context:

  • Alcohol craving is a complex phenomenon with potential neurobiological underpinnings.
  • Current relapse prevention strategies (acamprosate, disulfiram, naltrexone) show variable efficacy.
  • Identifying distinct alcohol craving subtypes may be crucial for personalized treatment.

Purpose:

  • To explore the neurobiological basis of alcohol craving.
  • To review existing and potential therapeutic interventions for alcohol relapse prevention.
  • To highlight the need for subtype-specific treatments.

Summary:

  • Neurobiological research suggests at least three subtypes of alcohol craving, linked to different neurotransmitter systems.
  • Approved and off-label medications for alcohol relapse prevention are not universally effective.
  • Emerging substances like baclofen, topiramate, and others show promise in preclinical or early clinical studies.

Impact:

  • Advances in understanding alcohol craving subtypes could lead to more personalized and effective relapse prevention strategies.
  • Development of novel pharmacotherapies targeting specific neurotransmitter systems is needed.
  • Improved treatment options can enhance recovery outcomes for individuals with alcohol dependence.

More Related Videos

The Motivation for Alcohol Reward: Predictors of Progressive-Ratio Intravenous Alcohol Self-Administration in Humans05:40

The Motivation for Alcohol Reward: Predictors of Progressive-Ratio Intravenous Alcohol Self-Administration in Humans

Published on: April 28, 2022

Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder05:12

Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder

Published on: June 23, 2023

Related Concept Videos

CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine01:27

CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine

Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...
Depressants01:28

Depressants

Depressant drugs, including alcohol and sedative-hypnotics, diminish central nervous system activity by enhancing the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that reduces brain activity and promotes relaxation. These substances can have various therapeutic uses but also pose significant risks, especially when misused or combined.
Alcohol is a common depressant that can induce a sense of relaxation and reduced inhibition at low doses. Contrary to its occasional...
Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy01:26

Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy

Antipsychotic drugs are a crucial treatment method for acute and chronic psychoses, bipolar illness, and behavioral disorders. The selection of these drugs depends on several factors, including the state of the disease, clinical judgment, possible drug interactions, and the patient's sensitivity to adverse effects. In immediate scenarios, such as delirium and dementia, short-term treatment with low doses of high-potency typical or atypical agents can effectively manage symptom exacerbation. For...
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena01:15

Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena

Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not necessarily...
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies01:26

Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies

Treatment strategies for poisoning are a critical aspect of emergency medicine, focusing on preventing the absorption of toxins and enhancing their elimination. When a poisoning incident occurs, the first response is to halt exposure and decontaminate the patient, particularly through gastrointestinal (GI) methods if the poison was ingested.Gastrointestinal Decontamination Techniques:Activated charcoal is the cornerstone of GI decontamination. It works through adsorption, binding the toxin to...
Protection of Alcohols02:31

Protection of Alcohols

This lesson delves into the concept of protection and deprotection of a functional group fundamental to synthetic organic chemistry. These phenomena are explained in the context of aliphatic and aromatic alcohols.
Protection
It defines a protecting group as the masking agent to make the more reactive species inert to a given set of conditions. This concept is depicted via the illustration of liquid flow through different outlets in an assembly of pipes. The analogy helps to understand the role...