Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5844233 | Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry | 2016 | 27 Pages |
Abstract
While the ability to process fermented fruits and alcohols was once an adaptive trait that improved nutrition and quality of life, the availability and prevalence of high potency alcoholic drinks has contributed to alcohol abuse disorders in a vulnerable portion of the population. Although the neural reward systems take part in the initial response to alcohol, negative reinforcement and stress, which are normally adaptive responses, can intersect to promote continued alcohol use at all stages of the addiction cycle. Eventually a point is reached where these once adaptive responses become dysregulated resulting in uncontrolled intake that constitutes a clinically important condition termed alcohol use disorder (AUD). Current research is targeted at both the behavioral and molecular adaptations in AUDs in an effort to better develop novel approaches to intervention. In this review, historical context is provided demonstrating the societal burden of alcohol use and abuse disorders. The importance of gender in the mechanism of action of alcohol is discussed. Finally, the impact of alcohol on stress-related circuitry, uncovered by preclinical research, is outlined to provide insight into potential novel pharmacological approaches to the treatment of AUD.
Keywords
DSM-5ADHEZMCRFSNRIACTHCRFRNIAAACeAAudpost-traumatic stress disorderPTSDAlcohol use disorderAlcohol use disordersgamma-aminobutyric acidAlcohol dehydrogenaseImmunoreactivitySex differencesDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental DisordersCbicorticotropin releasing factorelevated zero mazelocus coeruleusPVNHypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axisNational Institute on Alcohol Abuse and AlcoholismHPAcentral nucleus of the amygdalaparaventricular nucleusadrenocorticotropic hormoneGABACRF receptor
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Authors
T.A. Retson, R.C. Sterling, E.J. Van Bockstaele,