Abstract
Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are complex and developing effective treatments will require the combination of novel medications and cognitive behavioral therapy approaches. Epidemiological studies have shown there is a high correlation between alcohol consumption and tobacco use, and the prevalence of smoking in alcoholics is as high as 80% compared to about 30% for the general population. Both preclinical and clinical data provide evidence that nicotine administration increases alcohol intake and nonspecific nicotinic receptor antagonists reduce alcohol-mediated behaviors. As nicotine interacts specifically with the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) system, this suggests that nAChRs play an important role in the behavioral effects of alcohol. In this review, we discuss the importance of nAChRs for the treatment of AUDs and argue that the use of FDA approved nAChR ligands, such as varenicline and mecamylamine, approved as smoking cessation aids may prove to be valuable treatments for AUDs. We also address the importance of combining effective medications with behavioral therapy for the treatment of alcohol dependent individuals.
Keywords: nAChRs, ethanol, nicotine, pharmacotherapy, smoking cessation aids, varenicline, mecamylamine
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets
Title: Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors as Pharmacotherapeutic Targets for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorders
Volume: 9 Issue: 1
Author(s): S. Chatterjee and S. E. Bartlett
Affiliation:
Keywords: nAChRs, ethanol, nicotine, pharmacotherapy, smoking cessation aids, varenicline, mecamylamine
Abstract: Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are complex and developing effective treatments will require the combination of novel medications and cognitive behavioral therapy approaches. Epidemiological studies have shown there is a high correlation between alcohol consumption and tobacco use, and the prevalence of smoking in alcoholics is as high as 80% compared to about 30% for the general population. Both preclinical and clinical data provide evidence that nicotine administration increases alcohol intake and nonspecific nicotinic receptor antagonists reduce alcohol-mediated behaviors. As nicotine interacts specifically with the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) system, this suggests that nAChRs play an important role in the behavioral effects of alcohol. In this review, we discuss the importance of nAChRs for the treatment of AUDs and argue that the use of FDA approved nAChR ligands, such as varenicline and mecamylamine, approved as smoking cessation aids may prove to be valuable treatments for AUDs. We also address the importance of combining effective medications with behavioral therapy for the treatment of alcohol dependent individuals.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Chatterjee S. and Bartlett E. S., Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors as Pharmacotherapeutic Targets for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorders, CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets 2010; 9 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152710790966597
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152710790966597 |
Print ISSN 1871-5273 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1996-3181 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Diagnosis and treatment of central nervous system infectious diseases
Infectious diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) can be divided into bacterial, tuberculous, viral, fungal, parasitic infections, etc. Early etiological treatment is often the most crucial means to reduce the mortality rate of patients with central nervous system infections, reduce complications and sequelae, and improve prognosis. The initial clinical ...read more
Techniques of Drug Repurposing: Delivering a new life to Herbs & Drugs
Of late, with the adaptation of innovative approaches and integration of advancements made towards medical sciences as well as the availability of a wide range of tools; several therapeutic challenges are being translated into viable clinical solutions, with a high degree of efficacy, safety, and selectivity. With a better understanding ...read more
Trends and perspectives in the rational management of CNS disorders
Central nervous system (CNS) diseases enforce a significant global health burden, driving ongoing efforts to improve our understanding and effectiveness of therapy. This issue investigates current advances in the discipline, focusing on the understanding as well as therapeutic handling of various CNS diseases. The issue covers a variety of diseases, ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Aldehyde Oxidase Activity and Inhibition in Hepatocytes and Cytosolic Fraction from Mouse, Rat,Monkey and Human
Drug Metabolism Letters Carbonic Anhydrases An Overview
Current Pharmaceutical Design Editorial: Current Strategies for Drug Discovery Targeting Neurological Autoimmune Diseases
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Type 3 Diabetes Mellitus: A Novel Implication of Alzheimers Disease
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry New Aspects of Monoamine Oxidase B Inhibitors: The Key Role of Halogens to Open the Golden Door
Current Medicinal Chemistry Recent Progress in FKBP Ligand Development
Current Molecular Pharmacology Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors in Cancer Treatment: A Review of the Clinical Toxicity and the Modulation of Gene Expression in Cancer Cells
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Specific Therapy Based on the Genotype and Cellular Mechanism in Inherited Cardiac Arrhythmias. Long QT Syndrome and Brugada Syndrome
Current Pharmaceutical Design Metabolism of Designer Drugs of Abuse
Current Drug Metabolism Meet Our Editor
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery Statins, Risk of Death and Ischemic Stroke in Patients with Dementia: A Registry-Based Observational Cohort Study
Current Alzheimer Research Prediction of Citrullination Sites on the Basis of mRMR Method and SNN
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Key Sites for P2X Receptor Function and Multimerization: Overview of Mutagenesis Studies on a Structural Basis
Current Medicinal Chemistry Doxorubicin-Induced In Vivo Nephrotoxicity Involves Oxidative Stress- Mediated Multiple Pro- and Anti-Apoptotic Signaling Pathways
Current Neurovascular Research Bioactivity Guided Fractionation and Purification of Anti-Depressant Molecule from Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Current Bioactive Compounds Peptoids: Bio-Inspired Polymers as Potential Pharmaceuticals
Current Pharmaceutical Design Imino-Sugar-Based Nucleosides
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Gold Nanomaterials: From Preparation to Pharmaceutical Design and Application
Current Pharmaceutical Design Benefits of Exercise Training in Secondary Prevention of Coronary and Peripheral Arterial Disease
Vascular Disease Prevention (Discontinued) Medullary Thyroid Cancer: A Promising Model for Targeted Therapy
Current Molecular Medicine