alcohol dependence

Ghrelin is a peptide found mostly in the stomach but also in the brain. Ghrelin is known to have an effect on food intake by increasing feelings of hunger and the urge to eat.

New findings show that the ghrelin system may also be involved in addictive behaviors and brain reward.

An early age at onset of drinking is a strong predictor of subsequent alcohol dependence. New findings indicate that an early AOD among women born after 1944 may account for their increased rates of lifetime AD.

An earlier AOD may be connected to decreased minimum legal drinking age laws.

(Society for Neuroscience) A study released today reveals a cellular mechanism involved in alcohol dependence.

The study, in the May 28 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience, shows that gabapentin, a drug used to treat chronic pain and epilepsy, reduces alcohol intake in alcohol-dependent rats by normalizing chemical communication between neurons, which is altered by chronic alcohol abuse.

The search for genes associated with alcohol dependence has recently been extended to the tachykinin receptor 3 gene, located within a broad region on chromosome 4q.

Researchers have found that seven of the nine single nucleotide polymorphisms -- DNA sequence variations -- in the 3' region of TACR3 have a significant association with AD as well as cocaine dependence.

(Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research) Access to treatment for alcohol dependence in rural and remote areas is limited.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of two pharmacotherapies for AD -- naltrexone alone, and in combination with sertraline -- among Alaska Natives and other Alaskans living in rural settings.

Findings indicate that naltrexone is just as effective on its own as it is in combination with sertraline.

The influence of genetics increases as young women transition from their first drink to alcohol dependence.

Researchers found that although environment is most influential in determining when drinking begins, genes play a larger role in advancing to problem drinking and alcohol dependence.

Aripiprazole is currently approved to treat bipolar disorder as well as schizophrenia. A new study has found that it significantly and dose-dependently increases the sedative effects of alcohol and, to a lesser degree, decreases the euphoric effects of alcohol.

Future research will need to examine the beneficial versus the side effects of aripiprazole for treatment of alcohol dependence.

Scientists identified gene variants that affect the expression of neuropeptide Y, a molecule that regulates emotional responses and other functions.

Inherited variations in the amount of NPY help explain why some people can withstand stress better than others.

Since stress response is an important variable in vulnerability to alcohol dependence and other addictions, the finding could advance our understanding of individuals' vulnerability to these disorders.

Aripiprazole is currently approved to treat bipolar disorder as well as schizophrenia. A new study has found that it significantly and dose-dependently increases the sedative effects of alcohol and, to a lesser degree, decreases the euphoric effects of alcohol.

Future research will need to examine the beneficial versus the side effects of aripiprazole for treatment of alcohol dependence.

Scientists identified gene variants that affect the expression of neuropeptide Y, a molecule that regulates emotional responses and other functions.

Inherited variations in the amount of NPY help explain why some people can withstand stress better than others.

Since stress response is an important variable in vulnerability to alcohol dependence and other addictions, the finding could advance our understanding of individuals' vulnerability to these disorders.