Oxytocin could help treat alcohol use disorder
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health and The Scripps Research Institute are looking into using the neuropeptide oxytocin as a treatment of alcohol-use disorder. Oxytocin has already been shown to help decrease drug consumption, withdrawal symptoms and drug-seeking behavior in individuals who suffer from drug dependence. These researchers are interested in seeing if it can have the same or similar effects for people suffering with alcohol addiction. The researchers stated that GABA in the central nucleus of the amygdala is a key player in alcohol dependence and its signaling is altered when there is alcohol dependence. They found that when they administered oxytocin to rats with alcohol dependence, oxytocin blocked excess drinking but these results were not seen in rats without alcohol dependence. Results indicated that the altered GABA signaling in the amygdala region of the brain is blocked when oxytocin was administered. This suggests that by blocking this signaling, the rats no longer felt the need to drink excessively. The results show promise that oxytocin could potentially be used as a drug therapy for individuals with alcohol-use disorder.
We learned about addiction in class and about antagonistic treatments, which oxytocin would be in this case, since it blocks the effects of excessive drinking. We have also discussed GABA and how it is an inhibitory neurotransmitter and its receptors respond to alcohol, which is why its signaling would be altered when there is alcohol dependence. I have also learned about alcohol-use disorder in my Abnormal Psychology class and how difficult of a disorder it is to treat both with pharmaceutical therapies and behavioral therapy. If researchers are able to repeat these effects in more studies and then potentially in humans, it could be a real difference in the lives of people who suffer from alcohol-use disorder. It could also possibly be used as a preventative measure in individuals who have a high risk of developing this disorder.
https://neurosciencenews.com/oxytocin-alcohol-use-disorder-11091/
Since oxytocin is already in the brain, this form of treatment will be well tolerated in humans (https://www.techtimes.com/articles/241765/20190418/cuddle-hormone-oxytocin-may-help-treat-alcoholism.htm). Like you had said, Alcohol dependence is hard to treat with talk therapy and medication. Being able to use what's already inside people's brain will make treatments easier and more likely to be accomplished. In class this past week, the lecture on addiction and treatment mentioned how drugs do not fix dependence alone. Part of this is on the person's motivation to quit. A person with an addiction is not going to quit if they do not want to. By using hormones they already have, that motivation to quit will be more prevalent.
ReplyDeleteIn a study with mice, oxytocin was shown to increase anxiety and fear, so I wonder how this would affect humans; would the oxytocin affect people by having fear and anxiety from not drinking alcohol, or would the oxytocin bring fear and anxiety after drinking alcohol? Oxytocin also shows to increase feelings of well being, so maybe when people are weaning off alcohol, they will recognize their positive feelings of not being dependent on alcohol consumption. Additionally, it might be interesting to test some alcohol dependent people to see if they have a depressive disorder because low oxytocin levels have been linked to such conditions. If they have low oxytocin levels and test for a depressive disorder, giving oxytocin may be able to help with their depression and their alcohol use disorder.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/oxytocin/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130722123206.htm
We also learned that a lack of GABA production may be linked to anxiety disorders. Since GABA is an inhibitor, it functions in the parasympathetic nervous system, which is known as the rest and recovery stage. However, a lack of this neurotransmitter could lead to excessive worry because the brain struggles to cope with the stress.
ReplyDeleteIn a health class that I took in the past we learned about alcohol withdrawal and how it could be very dangerous for someone to just quit drinking. I learned how it is a balance of slowly reducing how much you drink and weaning the drinker off of the alcohol. I learned that if they were an excessive drinker they could have seizures, liver failure, kidney failure, etc. All because the alcohol can change the actually composition of ones body. The oxytocin could make the drinker want to not drink anymore but what about the withdrawal symptoms?
ReplyDeleteAlcoholism is one of the toughest illnesses to treat and overcome. But similar to what Jasmin said, I think it's important to only give the oxytocin to people with low levels of it. Because just like professor stated in class to much of anything isn't good for you. Too much oxytocin could lead to social anxiety due to emotional intensity especially in those who don't have social deficiencies.
ReplyDeletehttps://psychcentral.com/news/2014/01/23/too-much-oxytocin-ordinary-adults-may-lead-emotional-problems/64898.html
An article that I found in relation to this (https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2019/04/oxytocin-obesity-treatment/587533/), involves Oxytocin in possibly helping to treat the Obesity epidemic. The "cuddle hormone" as Oxytocin is nicknamed in this article, helps people feel full and reduce overeating. Scientists found that people suffering from obesity respond differently to images of delicious, calorie-filled dense food. Their brains seemed to light up and become overactive at the sight of these foods even when the person was no longer hungry. Studies suggest this may be the cause of overeating in obese people. Oxytocin, although released during sex, childbirth, and breastfeeding, has a variety of other functions. Oxytocin speeds up the satiety process and decreases are pleasure for eating. The article also referenced the potential of Oxytocin in alcoholics' as well drawing parallels to Oxytocin's function in treating obesity. Researchers are still unsure of how to apply the drug and distribute it, but the findings of Oxytocin in treating alcohol addiction and obesity is encouraging.
ReplyDeleteAlcohol is the one drug where its withdrawal process could kill you because alcohol suppresses glutamate which is the neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory. Going through remission or withdrawal leads to high levels of glutamate which can cause seizures that could actually be fatal.
ReplyDeleteIt was said that oxytocin could block GABA receptors therefore stopping the rats from feeling as if they need to drink excessively, but what about the oncoming sharp rise of glutamate? Finding something to stop one from feeling as if they need to drink is great, but if their bodies are accustomed to alcohol and they're about to go through withdrawal does the oxytocin inhibit the affects of glutamate too? Or will there need to be something else taken to prepare their bodies and prevent oncoming seizures.
In the Abnormal Psychology course, I am taking we were required to attend an AA meeting and a good majority of the information they gave during the meeting relate heavily with what we are currently learning about addiction in class. In the meeting, and class, I have learned that alcoholism is a serious disease and very dangerous. In fact, it is 1 of 2 drugs where withdrawal can be fatal. From what we have learned in class, and other knowledge I have gained in other courses, I know that oxytocin has its benefits on the body. I know the hormone serves as treatment for several conditions, some being depression and anxiety, so I wonder how well the hormone would work with treating those who suffer from alcoholism.
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