Article
Substance Abuse
Kenneth R. Conner, Stephen A. Maisto, Beau Abar, Sarah Szafranski, Andrew Chiang, Morica Hutchison, Aileen Aldalur, Tracy Stecker
Summary: The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of a brief intervention to increase treatment seeking in treatment naive adults with severe alcohol use disorder and measure its effects on alcohol use. The study found that the intervention did not increase treatment seeking in the participants.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Julia de Ternay, Agathe Larrieu, Laura Sauvestre, Solene Montegue, Monique Guenin, Christophe Icard, Benjamin Rolland
Summary: Improving physical activity in patients with alcohol use disorder is essential for improving drinking outcomes and quality of life. Patients with insufficient baseline physical activity show markers of severity and should receive physical exercise interventions as part of a multimodal treatment program.
Review
Psychiatry
Vikrant R. Mahajan, Sophie K. Elvig, Leandro F. Vendruscolo, George F. Koob, Valerie L. Darcey, M. Todd King, Henry R. Kranzler, Nora D. Volkow, Corinde E. Wiers
Summary: Alcohol use disorder is a chronic brain disorder characterized by compulsive alcohol seeking and disrupted brain function. Nutritional ketosis has shown potential in reducing alcohol withdrawal symptoms and craving by elevating ketone bodies in plasma and brain. This suggests that a ketogenic diet could be a unique treatment option for AUD, either alone or in combination with medications.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Fahad S. Alshehri
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive analysis of clinical trials related to alcohol dependence registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. Out of 1295 trials, 59.15% were completed, 17.76% were currently recruiting participants, and none had been approved for marketing. Most of the trials were interventional studies, with a majority located in North America.
MEDICINA-LITHUANIA
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Leigh C. Walker, Kade L. Huckstep, Howard C. Becker, Christopher J. Langmead, Andrew J. Lawrence
Summary: Emerging evidence suggests muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are potential targets for treating alcohol use disorder. This review integrates findings from medicinal chemistry, molecular biology, addiction, and learning/cognition fields to explore the potential of muscarinic receptor ligands in treating cognitive dysfunction, motivation to consume alcohol, and relapse associated with alcohol use disorder. The dysfunctional role of cholinergic system in alcohol use disorder is discussed, along with the potential therapeutic targets of specific muscarinic receptors, particularly M-4 and M-5 receptors. The use of subtype-selective allosteric modulators is proposed as a strategy to target these receptors, and the potential repurposing of muscarinic receptor modulators for alcohol use disorder is highlighted.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mekdem Tesfamichael Hassen, Matiwos Soboka, Marina Widmann, Lucas Keller, Anja C. Zeller, Natascha Buechele, Eva Barnewitz, Yimenu Yitayih, Sabine Schiller, Jael Senger, Kristina Adorjan, Michael Odenwald
Summary: This study aimed to investigate khat use, psychological problems, and motivation to change among students from Jimma University. The results showed high khat use with comorbid psychiatric problems, and a positive correlation between higher motivation and increased substance use. The study highlights the need for targeted intervention programs and challenges for implementing services for khat-using students.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sara Wallhed Finn, Anna Mejldal, Ruben Baskaran, Anette Sogaard Nielsen
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of different videos on public stigma towards Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). The results showed that video 1 and 3 decreased public stigma, while video 2 increased stigma. All videos reduced motivation to change alcohol use, but had no effect on motivation to seek treatment, motivation to talk to someone else, or self-stigma.
Review
Substance Abuse
Christine M. Gunn, Magda Pankowska, Miriam Harris, Emma Helsing, Tracy A. Battaglia, Sarah M. Bagley
Summary: A review of 316 US clinical trials for substance use disorders from 2010 to 2019 found that females were enrolled at lower rates than males overall. Only 8% of the trials reported sex-specific analyses and 1.5% reported transgender participants.
Review
Psychiatry
Falk W. Lohoff
Summary: Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) poses significant challenges to individuals, communities, healthcare systems, and economies. The most commonly used treatment methods, such as cognitive and behavioral therapy, have limited efficacy. Addressing the bottlenecks in AUD research and developing novel treatment strategies are important for improving outcomes.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Francisca Villavicencio-Tejo, Osvaldo Flores-Bastias, Lucas Marambio-Ruiz, Diliana Perez-Reytor, Eduardo Karahanian
Summary: High ethanol intake induces neuroinflammation and decreases GLT-1 expression, leading to long-term drinking behavior. Fibrates can inhibit neuroinflammation, reduce ethanol consumption, and normalize glutamatergic tone by reverting astrogliosis and NF-kappa B activation.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Mary Beth Miller, Lindsey K. K. Freeman, Ashley C. C. Helle, Nicole A. A. Hall, Angelo M. M. DiBello, Christina S. S. McCrae
Summary: Two-thirds of adults seeking treatment for alcohol or substance use disorders experience symptoms of insomnia. A study compared the efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) among individuals seeking and not seeking substance use treatment. The results showed that CBT-I had similar effects on reducing insomnia severity in both groups, but it was less feasible for individuals in substance use treatment.
JOURNAL OF SLEEP RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mitchell J. Andersson, Anders Hakansson
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on treatment seeking for alcohol use disorders in a Swedish psychiatric treatment facility. The results indicated that the pandemic had limited effect on treatment seeking overall, but there was a significant change in seeking patterns among female patients during the second wave.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kelly R. Peck, Nathaniel Moxley-Kelly, Gary J. Badger, Stacey C. Sigmon
Summary: This study found that a history of PTSD is prevalent among individuals seeking treatment for OUD in Vermont and is associated with worse treatment outcomes. Participants with PTSD history were less likely to have received prior OUD treatment but more likely to have a primary care physician and medical insurance compared to those without PTSD history.
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Richard F. Farmer, John R. Seeley, Derek B. Kosty, Jeff M. Gau
Summary: This study found that young adults with comorbid AUD/DRUG and those with AUD only belong to different populations, while those with AUD only and those without AUD or DRUG histories are similar. The comorbid AUD/DRUG group showed distinct risk factors, AUD course features, and outcomes, and had a higher overall SUD severity.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Dania Akbar, Taeho Greg Rhee, Felicia Ceban, Roger Ho, Kayla M. Teopiz, Bing Cao, Mehala Subramaniapillai, Angela T. H. Kwan, Joshua D. Rosenblat, Roger S. McIntyre
Summary: This systematic review assessed the efficacy, safety, and mechanisms of action of AXS-05 in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD). The results showed that AXS-05 had a significant effect in reducing depression severity and was well-tolerated. The findings also supported the role of glutamatergic and sigma 1 signaling in the pathophysiology of MDD.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Henry R. Kranzler, Richard Feinn, Timothy Pond, Emily Hartwell, Joel Gelernter, Richard C. Crist, Katie Witkiewitz
Summary: Topiramate reduces drinking and alcohol-related problems during treatment, but the effects diminish significantly after discontinuation. The rs2832407, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the GRIK1 gene, does not significantly moderate the treatment outcomes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Emily E. Hartwell, Alison K. Merikangas, Shefali S. Verma, Marylyn D. Ritchie, Henry R. Kranzler, Rachel L. Kember
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between SUD PRS and primary phenotypes, finding associations but not diagnostic predictability. PheWAS analysis revealed cross-trait associations in psychiatric disorders and medical conditions.
Article
Substance Abuse
ReJoyce Green, Daniel J. O. Roche, Lara A. Ray
Summary: Women often have poorer smoking cessation outcomes compared to men. Sex hormones, particularly the ratio of progesterone (P4) to estradiol (E2), may influence smoking behavior and response to medication. This study found that when women have a higher P4/E2 ratio, typically during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, they experience better drinking reduction outcomes with naltrexone compared to placebo.
ALCOHOL AND ALCOHOLISM
(2022)
Review
Substance Abuse
Shelby R. Goodwin, Dezarie Moskal, Russell M. Marks, Ashton E. Clark, Lindsay M. Squeglia, Daniel J. O. Roche
Summary: This review aims to examine gender, sex, and sexuality differences in polysubstance use in adults and adolescents. The findings are inconsistent, but generally indicate that adult men are more likely to engage in polysubstance use, and sexual and gender minorities report higher rates of polysubstance use.
ALCOHOL AND ALCOHOLISM
(2022)
Article
Substance Abuse
Ofir Livne, Richard Feinn, Justin Knox, Emily E. Hartwell, Joel Gelernter, Deborah S. Hasin, Henry R. Kranzler
Summary: This study examines the prevalence of DSM-5 alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) in individuals with unhealthy alcohol use and its associated factors. The findings show a high prevalence of AWS in individuals with unhealthy alcohol use, with significant associations with male gender, unmarried status, and lower income levels, as well as psychiatric disorders, alcohol-related features, and healthcare utilization.
ALCOHOL-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Substance Abuse
Henry R. Kranzler, Shirley H. Leong, Michelle Naps, Emily E. Hartwell, David A. Fiellin, Christopher T. Rentsch
Summary: The study suggests that topiramate may be associated with reduced drinking in individuals without a history of alcohol use disorder, especially among those with higher baseline drinking levels and higher average daily dosage of the medication.
Article
Psychiatry
Ian C. Fischer, Melanie E. Bennett, Robert H. Pietrzak, Brian C. Kok, Daniel J. O. Roche
Summary: In a sample of Black/African American adults seeking treatment for alcohol misuse and with co-occurring PTSD symptoms, this study found that only certain PTSD symptom clusters were independently associated with alcohol-related problems, particularly the absence of positive emotions.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Rachel L. Kember, Rachel Vickers-Smith, Heng Xu, Sylvanus Toikumo, Maria Niarchou, Hang Zhou, Emily E. Hartwell, Richard C. Crist, Christopher T. Rentsch, Lea K. Davis, Amy C. Justice, Sandra Sanchez-Roige, Kyle M. Kampman, Joel Gelernter, Henry R. Kranzler
Summary: This study conducted a meta-analysis to identify genetic loci associated with opioid use disorder (OUD). The analysis revealed 14 loci, of which 12 were novel. The study also found significant genetic correlations between OUD and psychiatric disorders as well as other substance use-related traits. Furthermore, the findings suggest that OUD is a brain disease, providing important insights for reducing stigma and addressing the opioid epidemic.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Substance Abuse
Henry R. R. Kranzler, Richard Feinn, Heng Xu, Brendan L. L. Ho, Divya Saini, Olivia R. R. Nicastro, Anya Jacoby, Sylvanus Toikumo, Joel Gelernter, Emily E. E. Hartwell, Rachel L. L. Kember
Summary: This study investigated the impact of genetic risk for substance use disorders (SUDs) on the onset and progression of substance use. The results showed that European-ancestry individuals and males had an earlier onset and quicker progression of substance use, and the polygenic risk scores (PRSs) had predictive value for substance use milestones and symptom progression. In African-ancestry individuals, PRSs also predicted some substance use milestones, albeit to a lesser extent due to a smaller discovery sample.
Article
Substance Abuse
Michelle S. S. Naps, Shirley H. H. Leong, Emily E. E. Hartwell, Christopher T. T. Rentsch, Henry R. R. Kranzler
Summary: This study investigated the effects of topiramate, a medication used to treat alcohol use disorder, on serum bicarbonate concentrations. The study found that the effects of the medication on bicarbonate concentrations were similar regardless of the presence of alcohol use disorder or the dosage of topiramate. Therefore, it is recommended to monitor baseline and periodic serum bicarbonate concentrations during topiramate therapy.
ALCOHOL-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Substance Abuse
Henry R. Kranzler, Emily E. Hartwell
Summary: Chronic heavy alcohol use has negative impacts on neurotransmitter systems and causes various medical, psychiatric, and social problems. Evidence-based medications for treating alcohol use disorder (AUD) are not widely used in clinical practice. Pharmacogenetic approaches have gained interest but have not yet yielded strong enough results for routine clinical care.
ALCOHOL-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Editorial Material
Psychology, Clinical
Daniel J. O. Roche, Katherine T. Foster
JOURNAL OF DUAL DIAGNOSIS
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Dezarie Moskal, Melanie E. Bennett, Russell M. Marks, Daniel J. O. Roche
Summary: This study examines the associations among trauma exposure, PTSD symptoms, and alcohol use in a sample of treatment-seeking, Black/African American adults. The findings suggest a positive association between trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms, and between PTSD symptoms and quantity of alcohol use. The study supports the importance of screening for and addressing PTSD and alcohol use in individuals exposed to trauma.
JOURNAL OF DUAL DIAGNOSIS
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Substance Abuse
D. J. O. Roche, A. Stewart, E. Dumez, D. Brady, N. Tesfa, E. Turner, B. J. Brandler, M. E. Bennett
ALCOHOLISM-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Substance Abuse
D. J. O. Roche, C. H. Brown, D. Moskal, E. Dumez, D. Brady, N. Tesfa, E. Turner, B. J. Brandler, A. Stewart, M. E. Bennett
ALCOHOLISM-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)