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Updated: Jun 18, 2025
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Murine Drinking Models in the Development of Pharmacotherapies for Alcoholism: Drinking in the Dark and Two-bottle Choice
Published on: January 7, 2019
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Emerging pharmacological targets for alcohol use disorder
Dakota F Brockway1, Nicole A Crowley2
1Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA; Penn State Neuroscience Institute, Penn State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.Y.)
|July 28, 2024
Summary
Novel pharmacological targets show promise for treating Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Research highlights somatostatin, VIP, GLP-1, nociceptin, and NPS as potential avenues for developing more effective AUD therapies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) presents significant challenges with limited treatment options.
- Advancements in pharmacology and drug delivery are revealing novel therapeutic targets for AUD management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review emerging pharmacological targets for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).
- To explore the potential of somatostatin (SST), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), nociceptin (NOP), and neuropeptide S (NPS) in AUD treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent preclinical and clinical research.
- Analysis of the roles of selected neuropeptides in modulating alcohol consumption and related behaviors.
Main Results:
- Somatostatin (SST) shows potential for treating AUD and comorbidities by dampening cortical circuits.
- Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) system modulation offers an unexplored approach to alcohol exposure.
- Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) reduces alcohol intake via interaction with the dopaminergic reward system.
- Nociceptin (NOP) agonism/antagonism presents a complex but promising strategy for reducing alcohol consumption.
- Neuropeptide S (NPS) exhibits anxiolytic effects, beneficial for AUD-associated anxiety.
Conclusions:
- These novel targets offer potential for more effective and personalized AUD therapies.
- Continued research is crucial for validating these targets and developing new treatments for AUD and comorbid conditions.
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