A study employing gene therapy as a prospective treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD) has been conducted, unveiling that a continuous discharge of hGDNF within the brain could inhibit a recurrence into immoderate drinking. This method is projected as an auspicious therapy for AUD, with principal results showcasing a remarkable decrease in alcohol consumption in those who underwent treatment.
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Gene Treatment for Alcohol Consumption Problems
A recent study headed by a researcher at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine proposes that gene therapy could serve as a prolonged, one-time cure for severe alcohol addiction, also known as alcohol use disorder.
The animal research, printed in Nature Medicine, collaborated with scientists at Oregon Health and Science University, the Oregon National Primate Research Center, and the University of California San Francisco.
Examination Overview and Results
Utilizing an acknowledged primate model, the study exhibited that the constant discharge of glial-derived neurotrophic factor (hGDNF) in the brain’s ventral tegmental area (VTA) could thwart a recurrence to extreme alcohol consumption post-abstinence, without interfering with other motivated behaviors.
Co-principal investigator Krystof Bankiewicz, MD, PhD, observes that this gene therapy targets alterations in the brain’s mesolimbic reward pathway, due to chronic alcohol consumption. The study indicates that this intervention could forestall relapse without demanding ongoing treatment commitment from patients.
Recurrent cycles of relapse following abstinence are frequent in individuals with AUD, even when employing existing FDA-approved medications.
Deciphering Alcohol Use Disorder
Prolonged drinking changes specific neural pathways in the brain that govern the release of dopamine, constituting the mesolimbic reward pathway, crucial in addiction.
These changes, including lowered dopamine release and sensitivity and increased uptake, become more conspicuous as AUD progresses, causing substandard dopamine levels in the pathway.
The state of lowered dopamine levels, known as “hypodopaminergic,” might drive heavy drinkers to recommence drinking after abstinence.
Presently, there are no cures specifically targeting brain circuits modified by continuous, heavy alcohol consumption, points out co-principal investigator Kathleen Grant, PhD.
The Trial Method
This research employed a recognized rhesus macaque model to scrutinize the feasibility and efficacy of using a viral vector to provoke ongoing expression of GDNF, curtail alcohol consumption, and deter resumption of drinking post-abstinence.
Eight male rhesus macaques were involved, with four receiving hGDNF vector infusion directly into the VTA. The remaining four were infused with sterile saline and served as controls.
Principal Discoveries
- Infusion of AAV2-hGDNF considerably curbed alcohol intake through several 4-week abstinence and reintroduction cycles.
- GDNF-treated subjects showed undetectable blood ethanol levels throughout most of the study.
- Control subjects exhibited consistently heightened alcohol consumption and blood ethanol levels.
“GDNF gene therapy could reduce alcohol intake related to reintroduction in our primate model,” states Bankiewicz. “We see this as a promising therapy for AUD and possibly other substance abuse disorders.”
Alcohol Use Disorder: Data and Influence
In 2021, approximately 28.6 million American adults (11.3%) and 894,000 adolescents (3.4%) suffered from AUD, as per the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. An estimated 12% of all alcohol drinkers meet AUD criteria, and 140,000 deaths annually in the U.S. are attributed to this disorder.
For more details on this research, see the article on The Power of Gene Therapy in Treating Alcohol Use Disorder.
Reference: “GDNF gene therapy for alcohol use disorder in male non-human primates” by various authors, 14 August 2023, Nature Medicine.
DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02463-9
The study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health and involved various researchers from different universities and institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword: gene therapy
What is the breakthrough in treating alcohol use disorder (AUD) that this study explores?
The study explores the use of gene therapy as a potential treatment for AUD, revealing that the sustained release of hGDNF in the brain might prevent relapse into excessive drinking. This gene therapy has shown a significant reduction in alcohol intake in treated subjects, making it a promising therapy for AUD.
How was the study conducted, and what were the key findings?
The study utilized an accepted primate model and involved eight male rhesus macaques, four of which were infused with an hGDNF vector directly into the VTA of the brain. Key findings include a significant reduction in alcohol intake across multiple 4-week abstinence and reintroduction cycles, and undetectable blood ethanol levels in GDNF-treated subjects.
What are the implications of the gene therapy approach on dopamine function in the brain?
The gene therapy targets changes in dopamine function within the brain’s mesolimbic reward pathway, which are caused by chronic alcohol use. These changes lead to below-normal levels of dopamine, compelling excessive alcohol users to resume drinking after abstinence periods. The therapy might prevent relapse without requiring long-term treatment adherence.
Who were involved in this study, and where was it published?
Researchers from The Ohio State University, Oregon Health and Science University, the Oregon National Primate Research Center, and the University of California San Francisco were involved. The study was published in the journal Nature Medicine.
What does the study indicate about the practicality and effectiveness of delivering a viral vector to induce GDNF expression?
The study demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of using a viral vector to induce continuous expression of GDNF in the brain. This approach was shown to diminish alcohol use and prevent a return to drinking after a period of abstinence, indicating merit for further study as a promising therapy for AUD and possibly other substance-abuse disorders.
More about fokus keyword: gene therapy
- The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
- Nature Medicine
- Oregon Health and Science University
- Oregon National Primate Research Center
- University of California San Francisco
- The Power of Gene Therapy in Treating Alcohol Use Disorder (Note: This link is hypothetical as the original text does not provide a URL for this reference.)
5 comments
the science behind this is pretty complex for me but its great to know that there’s hope out there for those battling alcohol addiction. Gene therapy sounds like the future.
i can’t beleive how far we’ve come in the field of medicine, gene therapy for AUD that’s amazing. my friend struggles with this and i wish this treatment is available soon.
This gene therapy looks promising. It’s about time we have something that targets the brain’s reward pathway, which is so central to addiction. I want to learn more, where can I find the full article.
So they used monkeys for this study huh? Interesting method. wonder how it will translate to humans. The decrease in drinking is impressive but will it wrk the same in people
Wow, this is groundbreaking stuff. Finally, we’re seeing some real progress in the treatment of alcohol addiction. Gene therapy could be a game changer!