The DOI matches its Crossref record; 144 of the 144 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Translating the neuroscience of alcoholism into clinical treatments: From blocking the buzz to curing the blues
Open accessAbstract
Understanding the pathophysiology of addictive disorders is critical for development of new treatments. A major focus of addiction research has for a long time been on systems that mediate acute positively reinforcing effects of addictive drugs, most prominently the mesolimbic dopaminergic (DA) system and its connections. This research line has been successful in shedding light on the physiology of both natural and drug reward, but has not led to therapeutic breakthroughs. The role of classical reward systems is perhaps least clear in alcohol addiction. Here, recent work is summarized that points to some clinically important conclusions. First, important pharmacogenetic differences exist with regard to positively reinforcing effects of alcohol and the ability of this drug to activate classical reward pathways. This offers an opportunity for personalized treatment approaches in alcoholism. Second, brain stress and fear systems become pathologically activated in later stages of alcoholism and their activation is a major influence in escalation of alcohol intake, sensitization of stress responses, and susceptibility to relapse. These findings offer a new category of treatment mechanisms. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) signaling through CRH1 receptors is a major candidate target in this category, but recent data indicate that antagonists for substance P (SP) neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptors may have a similar potential.
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“Although initial drug intake is associated with positive reinforcement and impulsive actions, chronic drug use is characterized by compulsive drug-taking behavior despite negative consequences.4, 5, 6”
From Behavioral and neuroimaging evidence for overreliance on habit learning in alcohol-dependent patients (2013) · cites this paper as [5]
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“To date, treatment programs for AD have mainly tried to reduce the positive reinforcing properties of drugs (‘blocking the buzz' for example, with the opioid antagonist naltrexone) or to reduce the negative reinforcing aspects of chronic alcohol use represented by relief craving (‘curing the blues' for example, with acamprosate).5”
From Behavioral and neuroimaging evidence for overreliance on habit learning in alcohol-dependent patients (2013) · cites this paper as [5]
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Cites
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Background
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- Thorsell A Schank JR Singley E Hunt SP Heilig M 2009 The neurokinin-1 receptor is required for alcohol reward and escalation of alcohol intake In press PNAS
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The role of TACR1 genotypes in craving, depression, and alcohol dependence.
Blaine, S. K. (2011) · UNM’s Digital Repository (University of New Mexico)
Metadata
- Authors
- Heilig, M., Thorsell, A., Sommer, W. H., Hansson, A. C., Ramchandani, V. A., George, D. T., Hommer, D., & Barr, C. S.
- Affiliations
- National Institutes of Health (US)
- Corresponding author
- Heilig, Markus
- ORCID
- Venue
- Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2010-11
- Volume
- 35
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 334-344
- ISSN
- 0149-7634 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC2891917
- OpenAlex
- W2010733076
- Cited by
- 117
- References
- 144
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 15
- FWCI
- 4.99
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (ZIAAA000487)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Keywords
- alcoholism, mesolimbic dopamine system, drug reward, pharmacogenetics, personalized treatment, relapse, corticotropin-releasing factor, substance P, NK1 receptor antagonists
- MeSH terms
- CRF Receptor, Type 1, Ethanol, Alcoholism, Animals, Brain, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone, Humans, Models, Biological, Substance P, Drug Delivery Systems, Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone, Translational Research, Biomedical, Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists
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