Abstract
Alcoholism is a multifarious and ongoing disease tightly related to the amount of alcohol ingested, the drinking pattern, the history of alcohol drinking and the individual features, such as some genetic traits. Worldwide alcohol is the necessary cause of approximately 60 diseases and causes circa 2.5 million deaths every year. Studies show that alcohol interacts with brain neurotransmission in a complex manner. Dopaminergic, GABAergic, serotonergic, cholinergic and glutamatergic systems are all key participants in the action of ethanol on the brain. Furthermore, several neuropeptides, such as endogenous opioid peptides, substance P, corticotropin-releasing hormone, or the appetite-regulating peptides (eg., neuropeptide Y, ghrelin or orexin) also play a role in alcohol drinking. Treatment of alcohol use disorders (AUD) is based on the application of combined approaches, including pharmacological intervention directed to different molecular targets. Results, however, are variable, not always satisfactory, and not applicable to all stages and pathologies or to all patients. New strategies focused on the control of neuropeptide performance in the brain are being explored and may be an advance in the therapy of alcoholism. The application of treatments ad personam represents a challenge that currently stimulates research in different realms, including epidemiology, psychology, chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology and pharmacology. In this review the potential value and application of ligands that modulate the function of opioid and neurokinin-1 receptors in alcoholism therapy is analyzed.
Keywords: Alcoholism, neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) antagonists, NK1R, opioids, reward, substance P, neurotransmission, Dopaminergic, GABAergic, serotonergic
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Targeting Opioid and Neurokinin-1 Receptors to Treat Alcoholism
Volume: 18 Issue: 28
Author(s): F. D. Rodriguez and R. Covenas
Affiliation:
Keywords: Alcoholism, neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) antagonists, NK1R, opioids, reward, substance P, neurotransmission, Dopaminergic, GABAergic, serotonergic
Abstract: Alcoholism is a multifarious and ongoing disease tightly related to the amount of alcohol ingested, the drinking pattern, the history of alcohol drinking and the individual features, such as some genetic traits. Worldwide alcohol is the necessary cause of approximately 60 diseases and causes circa 2.5 million deaths every year. Studies show that alcohol interacts with brain neurotransmission in a complex manner. Dopaminergic, GABAergic, serotonergic, cholinergic and glutamatergic systems are all key participants in the action of ethanol on the brain. Furthermore, several neuropeptides, such as endogenous opioid peptides, substance P, corticotropin-releasing hormone, or the appetite-regulating peptides (eg., neuropeptide Y, ghrelin or orexin) also play a role in alcohol drinking. Treatment of alcohol use disorders (AUD) is based on the application of combined approaches, including pharmacological intervention directed to different molecular targets. Results, however, are variable, not always satisfactory, and not applicable to all stages and pathologies or to all patients. New strategies focused on the control of neuropeptide performance in the brain are being explored and may be an advance in the therapy of alcoholism. The application of treatments ad personam represents a challenge that currently stimulates research in different realms, including epidemiology, psychology, chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology and pharmacology. In this review the potential value and application of ligands that modulate the function of opioid and neurokinin-1 receptors in alcoholism therapy is analyzed.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
D. Rodriguez F. and Covenas R., Targeting Opioid and Neurokinin-1 Receptors to Treat Alcoholism, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2011; 18 (28) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986711797200444
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986711797200444 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...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
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Cancer-associated Autoantibodies as Biomarkers for Early Detection and Prognosis is Cancer: An Update
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Inducers of Heme Oxygenase-1
Current Pharmaceutical Design Recent Advances in Oncogenic Roles of the TRPM7 Chanzyme
Current Medicinal Chemistry Small Heat Shock Proteins (sHSPs) As Potential Drug Targets
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Brain Permeable Nanoparticles
Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery (Discontinued) Cation-Responsive MRI Contrast Agents Based on Gadolinium(III)
Current Inorganic Chemistry (Discontinued) Methods to Assess Tissue-Specific Distribution and Metabolism of Drugs
Current Drug Metabolism Research Toward Potassium Channels on Tumor Progression
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Editorial (Thematic Issue: Emerging Concepts and Therapeutics Strategies for the Treatment of Brain Tumors)
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Statins: A Conceivable Remedial Role for the Regulation of Cancer Progression
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Dasatinib: An Anti-Tumour Agent via Src Inhibition
Current Drug Targets Bevacizumab for Malignant Brain Gliomas. Which is the Current Evidence?
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery 1,2,4-Triazine Analogs as Novel Class of Therapeutic Agents
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Multifunctional Hydroxyapatite-based Nanoparticles for Biomedicine: Recent Progress in Drug Delivery and Local Controlled Release
Current Mechanics and Advanced Materials Chemoinformatics in Multi-target Drug Discovery for Anti-cancer Therapy: In Silico Design of Potent and Versatile Anti-brain Tumor Agents
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Cellular and Molecular Targeted Drug Delivery: Nanochemistry in Medical Theranostics
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Modulation of the Peripheral and Central Inflammatory Responses by a-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone
Current Protein & Peptide Science Effect of Drugs in Cells and Tissues by NMR Spectroscopy
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Mitophagy in Carcinogenesis and Tumour Progression- A New Paradigm with Emerging Importance
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Pharmacological Activation of Protein Phosphatase 2 A (PP2A): A Novel Strategy to Fight Against Human Malignancies?
Current Medicinal Chemistry