Gene therapy, typically used to treat Parkinson’s disease, might drastically cut down alcohol intake in chronic heavy drinkers by altering the brain’s dopamine reward pathway. Studies on nonhuman primates revealed that alcohol consumption reduced by over 90%, proposing a potential treatment for extreme cases of alcohol use disorder.
This surgical treatment has been found to have a substantial impact on reducing chronic heavy drinking, a method already applied for Parkinson’s disease.
Researchers from Oregon Health & Science University and other institutions across the country have discovered that a type of gene therapy presently utilized for Parkinson’s disease could dramatically reduce alcohol use in chronic heavy drinkers.
Experiments on nonhuman primates demonstrated that by introducing a certain molecule to promote cell growth, the brain’s dopamine reward pathway was effectively reprogrammed in animals with a tendency to drink heavily. This process, involving brain surgery, may be valuable for treating the most acute cases of alcohol use disorder.
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Details on Gene Therapy
“It was exceedingly effective,” declared co-senior author Kathleen Grant, Ph.D., a professor at OHSU’s Oregon Primate National Research Center (ONPRC). The research will be published today (August 14) in Nature Medicine.
A non-harmful implanted virus carries a gene coding for the protein known as glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). It was injected into a specific brain area of rhesus macaque monkeys, heavy voluntary drinkers of diluted ethanol. Post-procedure, researchers noted over a 90% reduction in consumption compared to a control group.
Remarkable Outcomes
“The drinking virtually stopped,” Grant said. “For an extended period, the animals chose water over alcohol, reducing their drinking to an unmeasurable blood-alcohol level.”
Known as a growth factor, GDNF stimulates cell multiplication and boosts the neurons that produce dopamine, a pleasure-inducing chemical. Chronic drinking decreases dopamine release in cases of alcohol use disorder.
Alcohol and Dopamine Explained
“Dopamine plays a role in behavior reinforcement and pleasure,” explained Grant. “Acute alcohol consumption boosts dopamine, but chronic intake adjusts the brain in a way that decreases dopamine release. Those addicted to alcohol are driven more by the need to maintain intoxication rather than pleasure.”
The area of the brain where dopamine resides was targeted for GDNF delivery. Using magnetic resonance imaging, veterinarians at ONPRC guided the GDNF insertion into the brain’s ventral tegmental area.
Procedure and Consequences
The virus used, adeno-associated, is single-stranded DNA and doesn’t cause illness in subjects. Already in use for Parkinson’s in adults and a rare genetic disorder in children, the results were profound.
“The treated monkeys started overexpressing dopamine permanently and reduced their drinking substantially,” said Grant.
Alcohol Use Disorder and Prospective Treatment
Alcohol use disorder and related deaths remain a global issue, with 140,000 deaths annually in the U.S., and an estimated 2.4 million worldwide, as per the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
The new study details a treatment that, through surgery, permanently modifies the brain, making it suitable only for the most extreme cases of alcohol use disorder, according to Grant.
“It would best serve those who have proven resistant to our standard therapeutic methods,” she stated. “The severity of their drinking may cause serious harm or fatalities to themselves or others.”
Reference: “GDNF gene therapy for alcohol use disorder in male non-human primates,” 14 August 2023, Nature Medicine. DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02463-9
Krystof S. Bankiewicz, M.D., Ph.D., of UCSF and Ohio State, is co-senior author with Grant. The research included authors from various institutions and received funding support from several NIH grants. The content is exclusively the authors’ responsibility and doesn’t represent NIH’s official views.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword Gene Therapy
What is the primary purpose of the gene therapy discussed in the study?
The gene therapy, known for its use in treating Parkinson’s disease, has been found to drastically reduce alcohol consumption in chronic heavy drinkers by over 90%. It achieves this by resetting the brain’s dopamine reward pathway, which can propose a new potential treatment for severe cases of alcohol use disorder.
How does the gene therapy work to reduce alcohol consumption?
The gene therapy involves implanting a non-harmful virus that carries a gene coding for a protein called glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). This protein stimulates cell growth and effectively resets the brain’s dopamine reward pathway, leading to a significant reduction in alcohol consumption among heavy drinkers.
Who conducted the research, and where was it published?
The research was conducted by scientists at Oregon Health & Science University and other institutions across the United States. The study was published on August 14 in the journal Nature Medicine.
Is this therapy already in use for other medical conditions?
Yes, the procedure involved in this gene therapy is already used in treating adult patients with Parkinson’s disease and a rare genetic disorder in children known as aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency.
What are the implications of the study for treating alcohol use disorder?
The study demonstrates a novel approach that can substantially reduce alcohol consumption in chronic heavy drinkers. However, as it involves brain surgery, the treatment would be limited to those with the most severe forms of alcohol use disorder, presenting a new option for those unresponsive to standard therapeutic methods.
How was the effectiveness of the gene therapy proven?
The effectiveness was demonstrated in nonhuman primates, specifically rhesus macaque monkeys that were heavy drinkers of ethanol. After undergoing the procedure, their alcohol consumption dropped by more than 90% compared to a control group.
What are the worldwide implications of alcohol use disorder?
Alcohol use disorder and related deaths are a significant problem globally, with an estimated 140,000 deaths annually in the United States and a worldwide death toll of approximately 2.4 million. The study’s findings offer a potential new avenue for treatment, especially in the most severe cases.
More about fokus keyword Gene Therapy
- Nature Medicine
- Oregon Health & Science University
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
- Information on Parkinson’s Disease
6 comments
My brother struggled with heavy drinking this could be a game changer for many people. But isn’t brain surgery risky, hope they think about that.
I never thought I’d see the day where something for Parkinson’s can be used for alcohol disorder too! science sure is amazing.
What a fascinating study I wonder if this could be used for other addictions too, or is it just specific to alcohol, looking forward to more studies on this!
can this be used on humans, soon? Really hopeful and curious to know how it could help people like my friend.
This’s a great discovery. it might revolutionize the way we handle chronic drinking but i wonder how accessable and affordable it’ll be.
This is amazing stuff. gene therapy might just change how we treat alcholism. But what about side effects? need more info on that.