Recent research revealed that the drug Semaglutide, widely prescribed for obesity and diabetes, notably reduced alcohol intake and relapse rates in alcohol-dependent rats. This potentially introduces a new approach for treating human alcohol dependency. The drug seems to inhibit the release of dopamine triggered by alcohol in the brain’s reward system, possibly diminishing the pleasurable effects of alcohol. However, these findings await confirmation from human clinical trials.
Semaglutide, marketed under brand names like Ozempic, has gained approval for treating obesity, leading to a surge in demand and subsequent supply shortages. Some patients with obesity or diabetes have informally reported a decrease in their alcohol cravings after starting this treatment.
Presently, a variety of psychosocial interventions and drugs are used to manage alcohol dependence. Four such medications are currently approved and available. Due to the complex nature of alcohol dependence as a disease with multiple root causes, these medications’ effectiveness can differ significantly. Hence, the creation of new treatment alternatives is of utmost importance.
Relapse Reduction
Semaglutide, a long-acting compound, needs only a weekly dose. It’s the first drug that interacts with the GLP-1 receptor and is available in tablet form.
The findings of this study have been published in the scientific journal eBioMedicine. It observed that alcohol-dependent rats treated with semaglutide drastically cut their alcohol consumption and even the co-occurring relapse drinking. Relapses pose a significant challenge for people with alcohol dependence, often leading to an increase in drinking following a period of abstinence.
Elisabet Jerlhag Holm and Cajsa Aranäs of Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg led the study. Credit: Johan Wingborg, Elin Lindström.
The study found that treated rats halved their alcohol consumption compared to the untreated group. An intriguing discovery was that semaglutide similarly curbed alcohol consumption in both male and female rats.
The Road from Animal to Human Trials
The results suggest a promising impact, yet clinical studies must be conducted before using the medication to treat alcohol dependence, which requires time. The drug may be particularly beneficial for patients grappling with both obesity and alcohol dependence. The researchers believe these results will likely be mirrored in humans, based on analogous findings from other alcohol dependency studies using the same research model.
Elisabet Jerlhag, a professor of pharmacology at Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, emphasized the necessary caution in comparing animal and human studies. She noted, however, an earlier human study in which a previous version of the diabetes medication acting on GLP-1 significantly reduced alcohol intake in overweight, alcohol-dependent individuals.
Decoding Brain Mechanisms
The study also investigated the reasons behind the medication’s alcohol consumption reduction. It suggested that a decrease in the rewarding sensation induced by alcohol could be a key factor. The study found that semaglutide influenced the brain’s reward system in mice, specifically targeting the nucleus accumbens, a part of the limbic system.
Cajsa Aranäs, a doctoral student at Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, and a significant contributor to the study, explained: “Alcohol stimulates the brain’s reward system, leading to a dopamine release, a phenomenon observable in both humans and animals. Our hypothesis is that the medication obstructs this process in mice, potentially reducing the rewarding effects induced by alcohol.”
Reference: Cajsa Aranäs et al., “Semaglutide reduces alcohol intake and relapse-like drinking in male and female rats,” 7 June 2023, eBioMedicine.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104642
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Semaglutide alcohol dependence treatment
What is the main discovery of this study about Semaglutide?
The study found that Semaglutide, a drug used to treat obesity and diabetes, significantly reduced alcohol consumption and the rate of relapses in alcohol-dependent rats. This could potentially open a new avenue for treating human alcohol dependence.
How does Semaglutide potentially reduce alcohol consumption?
Semaglutide appears to block alcohol-induced dopamine release in the brain’s reward system, which could potentially reduce the rewarding effects of alcohol and hence curb its consumption.
Has Semaglutide been approved for human use?
Semaglutide, marketed under brand names like Ozempic, has been approved for treating obesity and diabetes. However, more clinical studies are needed before it can be officially used for treating alcohol dependence in humans.
How does Semaglutide administration work?
Semaglutide is a long-acting substance that needs to be taken once a week. It is the first medication that acts on the GLP-1 receptor and is available in tablet form.
Can Semaglutide potentially be used to treat both obesity and alcohol dependence?
The researchers speculate that the medication may be of particular benefit to patients suffering from both obesity and alcohol dependence. However, this requires further clinical studies for confirmation.
More about Semaglutide alcohol dependence treatment
- Semaglutide Reduces Alcohol Intake and Relapse-like Drinking in Rats
- Semaglutide and Alcohol Dependence
- Obesity Drug Semaglutide and its Impact on Alcohol Consumption
- Semaglutide: A New Treatment for Alcohol Dependence?
