Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

___________________________________________

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Role of the GABAB receptor system in alcoholism and stress: focus on clinical studies and treatment perspectives

Alcoholism and stress share some common neurobiological circuits, including the GABAergic system. In particular, the GABAB receptor seems to play an important role.

The GABAB receptor agonist baclofen has been studied as a treatment for alcohol-dependent subjects. Baclofen administration in alcohol-dependent patients was able to promote abstinence, inducing the remission of withdrawal symptoms, reducing alcohol craving, and reducing alcohol intake.

Baclofen also reduced anxiety in alcohol-dependent subjects, probably acting on brain stress circuitry and/or on other neuroendocrine systems. Baclofen also showed excellent safety and tolerability, even in alcohol-dependent patients with advanced liver disease (i.e., cirrhosis).

Future studies should investigate which alcoholic subtype may better benefit of the administration of baclofen in the treatment of alcohol dependence.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: g.addolorato@rm.unicatt.it

___________________________________________________

at