Promising Gene Therapy Reduces Alcohol Consumption in Monkeys, May Offer Hope for Severe Cases
A recent study conducted on nonhuman primates has shown promising results in reducing alcohol consumption. The research, published in the journal Nature Medicine, demonstrates the effectiveness of a gene therapy procedure in resetting the brain’s dopamine reward pathway in animals predisposed to heavy alcohol use.
Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that triggers feelings of pleasure. By implanting a specific type of molecule that induces cell growth, researchers were able to effectively reset the dopamine pathway in the brains of monkeys. The procedure, which involves brain surgery, may hold hope for individuals with severe cases of alcohol use disorder who do not respond to other treatments.
This treatment was incredibly effective, said Kathleen Grant, the study’s co-senior author and professor at the Oregon Health & Science University. The treated monkeys’ drinking went down to almost zero.
The gene therapy involved the implantation of a harmless virus carrying a gene called glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). This gene codes for a protein that helps regulate dopamine levels in the brain. When injected into a specific area of the brain in rhesus macaque monkeys that consumed alcohol heavily, their alcohol consumption dropped by over 90% compared to a control group.
Alcohol use disorder and alcohol-related deaths continue to pose a significant problem globally. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism estimates that approximately 140,000 alcohol-related fatalities occur annually in the United States alone. Worldwide, the annual death toll is estimated to be 2.4 million.
Despite the prevalence of alcohol use disorder, approved pharmacotherapies for treatment are limited. Less than 20% of individuals with the disorder seek treatment, partly due to social stigma. Current treatments mainly involve a combination of social or psychological interventions and oral medications that aim to reduce the pleasurable effects of alcohol consumption. However, adherence to these treatments is often challenging, with many patients ultimately returning to alcohol use.
While the gene therapy procedure described in the study shows promise, it is important to note that it involves surgery and is most suitable for individuals with the most severe forms of alcohol use disorder who have not responded to other treatments. The therapy is already used in adults with Parkinson’s disease and children with a rare genetic disorder called aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency.
Further research is needed to determine whether this gene therapy can become a recommended treatment for severe alcohol use disorder in humans. However, it provides hope for those who struggle with excessive alcohol consumption and the physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual damages it can cause.
The use of gene therapy for alcohol use disorder is an exciting avenue of research. However, there are challenges in ensuring that effective treatments reach the individuals who need them the most. Only about 8% of individuals who meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder are prescribed FDA-approved medications for treatment. It is crucial to address barriers to treatment access and improve the availability of effective therapies.
In conclusion, the promising results of this gene therapy study offer hope for severe cases of alcohol use disorder. While the procedure is currently limited to animal research, its potential application in humans could provide a lifesaving tool for individuals who do not respond to other treatments. Continued research is necessary to fully understand the effectiveness and safety of this therapy, but it represents a significant advancement in the field of addiction medicine.
