Role of the GABA(B) receptor system in alcoholism and stress: focus on clinical studies and treatment perspectives.

Full Abstract

Alcoholism and stress share some common neurobiological circuits, including the GABAergic system. In particular, the GABA(B) receptor seems to play an important role. The GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen has been studied as a treatment for alcohol-dependent subjects. Baclofen administration in alcohol-dependent patients was able to promote abstinence, inducing the remission of withdrawal symptoms, reducing alcohol craving, and reducing alcohol intake. Baclofen also reduced anxiety in alcohol-dependent subjects, probably acting on brain stress circuitry and/or on other neuroendocrine systems. Baclofen also showed excellent safety and tolerability, even in alcohol-dependent patients with advanced liver disease (i.e., cirrhosis). Future studies should investigate which alcoholic subtype may better benefit of the administration of baclofen in the treatment of alcohol dependence.

Author information

Author/s: Addolorato, Giovanni (G); Leggio, Lorenzo (L); Cardone, Silvia (S); Ferrulli, Anna (A); Gasbarrini, Giovanni (G);

Affiliation: Institute of Internal Medicine, Agostino Gemelli Hospital, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy. g.addolorato(-atsign-)rm.unicatt.it

Grants: AA017581 (Agency:NIAAA NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.Y.) (Alcohol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Nov; vol 43 (issue 7) : pp 559-63

Dates: Created 2009/11/16;

PMID: 19913201, status: In-Process (last retrieved date: 11/17/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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