The molecule is produced naturally inside the body

Dec 12, 2011 11:00 GMT  ·  By
Drugs based on the anti-stress peptide nociceptin could be used to treat alcoholism
   Drugs based on the anti-stress peptide nociceptin could be used to treat alcoholism

American researchers at the Scripps Research Institute (SRI) are on their way to creating new drugs for fighting alcoholism. The chemicals rely on an innate anti-stress peptide that is produced inside the brain.

The group says that the molecule was recently analyzed in animal studies, and revealed to be capable of reversing some of the cellular effects of heavy alcohol consumption and dependence. The data also showed the peptide to be capable of preventing such damage from occurring in the first place.

Granted, this approach has yet to be tested on humans, but early results are very encouraging. The SRI team says that the peptide plays a role in the brain's response to stress and stressful situations. The work was led by research associate professor Marisa Roberto.

Details of the investigation are published online ahead of print, in the latest issue of the esteemed scientific journal Biological Psychiatry, Science Blog reports. One of the most important things the new study shows is how alcohol use degenerates into alcohol dependence.

Researchers were able to cast some light on the cellular mechanisms that are largely responsible for this transition. Interestingly, the team found a molecular competition taking place inside cells – between an alcohol consumption-promoting peptide and one that opposes the behavior.

The outcome of this battle dictates whether a person will be able to continue consuming alcohol on occasions, without any dependency, or becomes addicted to the stuff. Boosting the actions of the anti-stress peptide could theoretically help many people get rid of their dependency.

“Alcohol affects a lot of systems in the brain, and there won’t be a single pill that will cure the multiple and complex aspects of this disease,” Roberto argues. She adds that the helpful peptide. Called nociceptin, inhibits the release of gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA).

GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter released by the amygdala, the area of the brain that controls our response to stress and fear, as well as the body's innate fight-or-flight response. The amygdala is also the target of therapies against anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among others.

“Alcoholism is a complex disorder with many contributing factors, one of which is stress. By targeting a particular system that’s associated with stress, we can better understand the interaction of alcohol and stress in the brain,” first study author and SRI research associate Maureen Cruz concludes.