Adolescent Substance Abuse Articles
Study may lead to developments in personalized addiction treatment
By Staff Writer
Scientists continue to search for new ways of providing substance abuse help to individuals who suffer from an addiction. A recent study of the effects of a medication on alcoholism may have led to a breakthrough in personalized treatment.
The research was conducted using a medication known as ondansetron, which is used to treat nausea and vomiting following chemotherapy. The medication blocks serotonin receptors in the brain.
According to the researchers, serotonin mediates the rewarding effects of alcohol in the brain. However, a variation in the gene that encodes serotonin's transporter has been shown to influence the intensity of one's drinking. To see if this process could have an effect on alcoholism, the researchers conducted a controlled trial.
Treatment regimes, which either included ondansetron or placebo, were randomly assigned to study subjects. It was discovered that individuals who had an LL gene variant reduced their daily alcoholic intake to less than five drinks and abstained from alcohol for longer periods of time when treated with the medication. Those who received the placebo continued to consume more than five drinks a day.
Based on these results, researchers believe that these discoveries represent an important milestone in the search for personalized treatments for alcohol addiction. In addition, conducting genetic screenings before prescribing medication may lead to a more successful treatment options.
