Cognitive Decline and Recovery in Alcohol Abuse

Divergent Roles of APOAI and APOM in the Identification of Alcohol Use Disorder and Their Association With Inflammation and Cognitive Decline: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) courses with inflammation and cognitive decline. Apolipoproteins have emerged as novel target compounds related to inflammatory processes and cognition.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed on abstinent AUD patients with at least 1 month of abstinence (n  = 33; 72.7% men) and healthy controls (n  = 34; 47.1% men). A battery of plasma apolipoproteins (APOAI, APOAII, APOB, APOCII, APOE, APOJ, and APOM), plasma inflammatory markers (LPS, LBP), and their influence on cognition and presence of the disorder were investigated.

RESULTS

Higher levels of plasma APOAI, APOB, APOE, and APOJ, as well as the proinflammatory LPS, were observed in the AUD group, irrespective of sex, whereas APOM levels were lower vs controls. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses, adjusting for covariates (age, sex, education), associated APOM with the absence of cognitive impairment in AUD and identified APOAI and APOM as strong predictors of the presence or absence of the disorder, respectively. APOAI and APOM did not correlate with alcohol abuse variables or liver status markers, but they showed an opposite profile in their associations with LPS (positive for APOAI; negative for APOM) and cognition (negative for APOAI; positive for APOM) in the entire sample.

CONCLUSIONS

The HDL constituents APOAI and APOM were differentially regulated in the plasma of AUD patients compared with controls, playing divergent roles in the disorder identification and associations with inflammation and cognitive decline.

Associations of device-measured and self-reported physical activity with alcohol consumption: Secondary analyses of a randomized controlled trial (FitForChange)

BACKGROUND

Physical activity (PA) is increasingly used as an adjunct treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Previous studies have relied on self-report measures of PA, which are prone to measurement error. In the context of a randomized controlled trial of PA for AUD, we examined: (1) associations between device-measured and self-reported PA, (2) associations between PA measurements and alcohol use, and (3) the feasibility of obtaining device-measured PA data in this population.

METHOD

One-hundred and forty individuals with clinician-diagnosed AUD participated in a 12-week intervention comparing usual care (phone counselling) to yoga-based exercise and aerobic exercise. Device-measured PA (Actigraph GT3x), self-reported PA (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) and alcohol consumption (Timeline Follow Back Method) were assessed before and after the trial. Effects of the interventions on PA levels were assessed using linear mixed models.

RESULTS

In total, 42% (n=59) of participants returned usable device-measured PA data (mean age= 56±10 years, 73% male). Device-measured and self-reported vigorous-intensity PA were correlated (β= -0.02, 95%CI= -0.03, -0.00). No associations were found for moderate-intensity PA. Compared to usual care, time spent in device-measured light-intensity PA increased in the aerobic exercise group (∆= 357, 95%CI= 709, 5.24). Increases in device-measured light-intensity PA were associated with fewer standard drinks (∆= -0.24, 95%CI= -0.03, -0.44), and fewer heavy drinking days (∆= -0.06, 95%CI=-0.01, -0.10).

CONCLUSION

Increases in light-intensity/habitual PA were associated with less alcohol consumption in adults with AUD. Self-reported PA data should be interpreted with caution. Incentives are needed to obtain device-measured PA data in AUD populations.

Neurocognitive Recovery in Abstinent Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder: A Scoping Review for Associated Factors

Objective

Studies have reported inconsistent results regarding the extent to which neurocognitive recovery occurs in abstinent patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). In addition to abstinence, other factors may have influenced this process and contributed to the inconsistencies. This review examines the factors investigated in this regard and describes the possible influence of each factor based on the evidence collected.

Methodology

PubMed was systematically searched for articles published between January 2000 and July 2023. Longitudinal humane studies investigating neurocognitive recovery in abstinent adult AUD patients were included. Studies with a cross-sectional design were excluded, as were studies that did not classify AUD according to the DSM-IV or 5 criteria, only examined binge use, did not report neuropsychological outcomes or duration of abstinence, or where neurological disorders were present.

Results

Sixteen categories of factors were distinguished from 31 full-text articles. Consistent patterns were found, indicating an association between neurocognitive recovery and the "smoking" and 'brain volume" factors. Consistent patterns were also found indicating that there is no relationship with "quantities of alcohol used" and "education level." A similar consistent pattern was also found for "polysubstance use", "gender" and "verbal reading", but the number of studies is considered limited. The association with "age" is studied frequently but with inconsistent findings. The remaining eight factors were regarded as understudied.

Conclusion

The clearest patterns emerging from the evidence are a predominantly negative influence of smoking on neurocognitive recovery, associations between changes in brain area volume and neurocognitive recovery, and no association between neurocognitive recovery and the amount of alcohol consumed, as measured by self-report, nor with educational attainment. Future research on the understudied factors and factors with inconsistent evidence is needed, preferably through longitudinal designs with multiple assessment periods starting after at least two weeks of abstinence.

Genome-wide transcriptomics of the amygdala reveals similar oligodendrocyte-related responses to acute and chronic alcohol drinking in female mice

Repeated excessive alcohol consumption is a risk factor for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Although AUD has been more common in men than women, women develop more severe behavioral and physical impairments. However, relatively few new therapeutics targeting development of AUD, particularly in women, have been validated. To gain a better understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying alcohol intake, we conducted a genome-wide RNA-sequencing analysis in female mice exposed to different modes (acute vs chronic) of ethanol drinking. We focused on transcriptional profiles in the amygdala including the central and basolateral subnuclei, brain areas previously implicated in alcohol drinking and seeking. Surprisingly, we found that both drinking modes triggered similar changes in gene expression and canonical pathways, including upregulation of ribosome-related/translational pathways and myelination pathways, and downregulation of chromatin binding and histone modification. In addition, analyses of hub genes and upstream regulatory pathways revealed that voluntary ethanol consumption affects epigenetic changes via histone deacetylation pathways, oligodendrocyte and myelin function, and the oligodendrocyte-related transcription factor, Sox17. Furthermore, a viral vector-assisted knockdown of Sox17 gene expression in the amygdala prevented a gradual increase in alcohol consumption during repeated accesses. Overall, these results suggest that the expression of oligodendrocyte-related genes in the amygdala is sensitive to voluntary alcohol drinking in female mice. These findings suggest potential molecular targets for future therapeutic approaches to prevent the development of AUD, due to repeated excessive alcohol consumption, particularly in women.

Cdk5 Promotes Mitochondrial Fission via Drp1 Phosphorylation at S616 in Chronic Ethanol Exposure-Induced Cognitive Impairment

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to alterations in brain structure and function, even causing irreversible learning and memory disorders. The hippocampus is one of the most sensitive areas to alcohol neurotoxicity in the brain. Accumulating evidence indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to alcohol neurotoxicity. However, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms. In this study, we found that chronic exposure to ethanol caused abnormal mitochondrial fission/fusion and morphology by activating the mitochondrial fission protein dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and upregulating Drp1 receptors, such as fission protein 1 (Fis1), mitochondrial dynamics protein of 49 kDa (Mid49), and mitochondrial fission factor (Mff), combined with decreasing optic atrophy 1 (Opa1) and mitochondrial fusion protein mitofusin 1 (Mfn1) levels. In addition, mitochondrial division inhibitor 1 (mdivi-1) abrogated ethanol-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and improved hippocampal synapses and cognitive function in ethanol-exposed mice. Chronic ethanol exposure also resulted in cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) overactivation, as shown by the increase in the levels of Cdk5 and its activator P25 in the hippocampus. Furthermore, a Cdk5/P25 inhibitor (roscovitine) or Cdk5 knockdown using small interfering RNA (LVi-Cdk5) exerted neuroprotection by inhibiting abnormal mitochondrial fission through Drp1 phosphorylation at Ser616 and mitochondrial translocation after chronic ethanol exposure. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that inhibition of aberrant Cdk5 activation attenuates hippocampal neuron injury and cognitive deficits induced by chronic exposure to ethanol through Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission and mitochondrial dysfunction. Interfering with this pathway might serve as a potential therapeutic approach to prevent ethanol-induced neurotoxicity in the brain.

Proteome-Wide Analysis of the Hippocampus in Adult Mice with Learning and Memory Impairment Caused by Chronic Ethanol Exposure

Alcohol consumption may cause various impairments in the brain. The hippocampus is particularly vulnerable to alcohol exposure, which may cause learning and memory deficits. Recently, proteomics analysis has become a popular approach to explore the pathogenesis of various diseases. The present study was conducted to investigate protein expression alteration in the hippocampus and to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying ethanol-induced learning and memory impairments. Mouse models of chronic ethanol intoxication were established by intragastrical administration for 28 consecutive days, and hippocampal neuronal damage was assessed by Nissl staining. Recognition memory was evaluated by Novel object recognition and Morris water maze tests, and hippocampus tissues were collected for label-free quantitative proteomics and analyzed using bioinformatics methods. Our study showed that chronic ethanol exposure prompted marked changes in protein expression in the hippocampus. We identified 32 differentially expressed proteins, of which 21 were upregulated and 11 downregulated. Gene Ontology analysis suggested that the identified differentially proteins were mainly involved in cytoskeleton and signal transduction mechanisms. Further verification using Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR revealed that the hippocampal CTSL (cathepsin L), and PVALB (Parvalbumin) showed strongest expression changes, the latter being specifically expressed in GABAergic interneurons. These two proteins might serve as candidate protein biomarkers, providing new prospects for the diagnosis and treatment of ethanol-induced learning and memory disorders.

Clinical evaluation and management of a 45-year-old man with confusion, psychosis, agitation, stereotyped behavior, and impaired speech

Our patient Mr. A is a mentally and physically disabled gentleman. He was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder as a teenager. He incurred a lumbar spinal injury due to a motor vehicle incident in his 20s which led to weakness, numbness, and frequent infection over both of his lower extremities. He also developed alcohol addiction over the course of his life. Mr. A presented to our facility with complicated neuropsychiatric symptoms. By adopting various clinical strategies, we were able to control his symptoms of agitation, self-harm, mood swings, and stereotyped behavior. However, we were not able to improve his neurocognitive functioning or speech impairment which seemed to become severe and irreversible in a period of a few months. We felt disappointed and perplexed by the mixed treatment responses. To understand Mr. A’s clinical presentation, various laboratory tests and imaging studies were performed. Different psychotropic medications were used to manage his symptoms. Gradually, we felt that we were able to understand this case better clinically and etiologically. His bipolar disorder, alcohol addiction, and physical injury had likely all contributed to his neuropsychiatric symptoms, directly or indirectly. It is highly possible that an alcohol-related progressive dementia along with his chronic bipolar disorder played a key role in the progression of his brain neurodegeneration. Also, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome could reasonably be considered having developed during his clinical course. Moreover, the fluctuation of the patient’s neuropsychiatric symptoms we observed during his hospitalization reflects the increased vulnerability of the human brain under sustained neurodegeneration.

The Effect of Chronic Alcohol on Cognitive Decline: Do Variations in Methodology Impact Study Outcome? An Overview of Research From the Past 5 Years

Excessive alcohol use is often associated with accelerated cognitive decline, and extensive research using animal models of human alcohol consumption has been conducted into potential mechanisms for this relationship. Within this literature there is considerable variability in the types of models used. For example, alcohol administration style (voluntary/forced), length and schedule of exposure and abstinence period are often substantially different between studies. In this review, we evaluate recent research into alcohol-induced cognitive decline according to methodology of alcohol access, as well as cognitive behavioral task employed. Our aim was to query whether the nature and severity of deficits observed may be impacted by the schedule and type of alcohol administration. We furthermore examined whether there is any apparent relationship between the amount of alcohol consumed and the severity of the deficit, as well as the potential impact of abstinence length, and other factors such as age of administration, and sex of subject. Over the past five years, researchers have overwhelmingly used non-voluntary methods of intake, however deficits are still found where intake is voluntary. Magnitude of intake and type of task seem most closely related to the likelihood of producing a deficit, however even this did not follow a consistent pattern. We highlight the importance of using systematic and clear reporting styles to facilitate consistency across the literature in this regard. We hope that this analysis will provide important insights into how experimental protocols might influence findings, and how different patterns of consumption are more or less likely to produce an addiction-vulnerable cognitive phenotype in animal models.

Chronic Alcohol Exposure Alters Gene Expression and Neurodegeneration Pathways in the Brain of Adult Mice

BACKGROUND

Chronic alcohol consumption can alter the structure of the central nervous system and disrupt cognitive function. Alcoholics are more likely to develop neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the role of alcohol in promoting neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aimed at estimating the effects of chronic binge alcohol exposure on brain transcriptome and behavior changes in a chronic "Drinking in the Dark" (DID) mouse model.

METHODS

The adult C57BL/6J male mice were exposed to alcohol for 4 weeks. RNA-seq was applied to assess the effects of chronic alcohol exposure on transcriptome in brain. The open field test and novel object recognition test were used to assess the changes of anxiety level, locomotive function, and short-term memory induced by alcohol. RNA-seq analysis revealed that chronic alcohol exposure caused significant change in the brain transcriptome, especially in prefrontal cortex.

RESULTS

The gene dysregulation caused by chronic alcohol exposure includes pathways related to mitochondrial energy metabolism (such as oxidative phosphorylation) and multiple neurodegenerative diseases (such as AD and PD). Furthermore, the pathway and network analyses suggest that the genes involved in mitochondrial energy metabolism, ubiquitin-proteasome system, Wnt signaling pathway, and microtubules may attribute to the neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration caused by chronic alcohol consumption. Additionally, locomotive function was also significantly impaired.

CONCLUSION

This work provides gene transcriptional profile data for future research on alcohol-induced neurodegenerative diseases, especially AD and PD.

Late-Onset Alcohol Abuse as a Presenting Symptom of Neurodegenerative Diseases

BACKGROUND

The association between lifetime alcohol abuse and a higher risk to develop dementia is well known. However, it is unknown whether older adults who begin abusing alcohol late in life have an underlying neurodegenerative disease.

OBJECTIVE

Identify the frequency of lifelong alcohol abuse (L-AA), late-onset alcohol abuse (LO-AA), and alcohol abuse as a first symptom of dementia (AA-FS) in patients with neurodegenerative diseases.

METHODS

Cross-sectional retrospective study of patients evaluated at an academic referral center with a clinical diagnosis of behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), Alzheimer-type dementia (AD), and semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA) (n = 1,518). The presence of alcohol abuse was screened with the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center questionnaire. L-AA was defined as onset < 40 years, LO-AA as onset ≥40 years, and AA-FS was defined when the abuse started within the first three years from symptom onset.

RESULTS

The frequency of LO-AA was 2.2% (n = 33/1,518). LO-AA was significantly more frequent in patients with bvFTD than AD (7.5%, n = 13/173 versus 1.3%, n = 16/1,254, CI:1.0;11.4%), but not svPPA (4.4%, n = 4/91, CI: -4.4;10.7%). Similarly, AA-FS was more frequent in bvFTD patients than AD (5.7%, n = 10/173 versus 0.7%, n = 9/1,254, CI:0.5%;9.5%), but not svPPA (2.2%, n = 2/91, CI:-2.4;9.1%).

CONCLUSION

LO-AA can be a presenting symptom of dementia, especially bvFTD. Alcohol abuse onset later in life should prompt a clinical investigation into the possibility of an underlying neurodegenerative process because delay in diagnosis and treatment may increase patient and caregiver burden. The results need to be interpreted with caution due to the limitations of the study.

Gut dysbiosis correction contributes to the hepatoprotective effects of Thymus quinquecostatus Celak extract against alcohol through the gut-liver axis

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a major health issue globally due to the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Thymus quinquecostatus Celak is a food additive and an edible herb that is widely used in Asia and possesses hepatoprotective activity, but the underlying mechanisms behind this protective activity are not completely understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of Thymus quinquecostatus Celak extract (TQE) against ALD as well as the underlying mechanism based on gut microbiota and the gut-liver axis. TQE supplementation markedly alleviated chronic alcohol-induced liver injury in C57 mice. TQE also ameliorated gut barrier dysfunction induced by alcohol. Consequently, the activation of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) translocation-mediated TLR4 pathway and the subsequent inflammatory response and ROS overproduction in the liver were suppressed. Meanwhile, alcohol-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis was also corrected by TQE. To further investigate the contribution of gut dysbiosis correction to the beneficial effects of TQE on ALD, a fecal microbiota transplantation study was conducted. TQE-manipulated gut microbiota transplantation markedly counteracted the alcohol-induced gut dysbiosis in the recipient mice. In parallel with gut dysbiosis correction, liver damage was partly ameliorated in the recipient mice. Gut barrier dysfunction, endotoxemia, TLR4 pathway induction as well as downstream inflammatory response and ROS overproduction were also partly suppressed due to gut dysbiosis correction in alcohol-fed recipient mice. In summary, these results suggest that gut dysbiosis correction contributes to the hepatoprotective effects of TQE against alcohol through the gut-liver axis.

Evaluation of neurotrophic factors and education level as predictors of cognitive decline in alcohol use disorder

Cognitive reserve (CR) is the capability of an individual to cope with a brain pathology through compensatory mechanisms developed through cognitive stimulation by mental and physical activity. Recently, it has been suggested that CR has a protective role against the initiation of substance use, substance consumption patterns and cognitive decline and can improve responses to treatment. However, CR has never been linked to cognitive function and neurotrophic factors in the context of alcohol consumption. The present cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the association between CR (evaluated by educational level), cognitive impairment (assessed using a frontal and memory loss assessment battery) and circulating levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Our results indicated that lower educational levels were accompanied by earlier onset of alcohol consumption and earlier development of alcohol dependence, as well as impaired frontal cognitive function. They also suggest that CR, NT-3 and BDNF may act as compensatory mechanisms for cognitive decline in the early stages of AUD, but not in later phases. These parameters allow the identification of patients with AUD who are at risk of cognitive deterioration and the implementation of personalized interventions to preserve cognitive function.

Muscarinic M4 and M5 receptors in the ventral subiculum differentially modulate alcohol seeking versus consumption in male alcohol-preferring rats

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors mediate alcohol consumption and seeking in rats. While M₄ and M₅ receptors have recently been implicated to mediate these behaviours in the striatum, their role in other brain regions remain unknown. The ventral tegmental area (VTA) and ventral subiculum (vSub) both densely express M₄ and M₅ receptors and modulate alcohol-seeking, via their projections to the nucleus accumbens shell (AcbSh).

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

In Indiana alcohol-preferring (iP) male rats, we examined Chrm4 (M₄ ) and Chrm5 (M₅ ) expression in the VTA and vSub following long-term alcohol consumption and abstinence using RT-qPCR. Using a combination of retrograde tracing and RNAscope, we examined the localisation of Chrm4 and Chrm5 on vSub cells that project to the AcbSh. Using selective allosteric modulators, we examined the functional role of M₄ and M₅ receptors within the vSub in alcohol consumption, context-induced alcohol-seeking, locomotor activity, and food/water consumption.

KEY RESULTS

Long-term alcohol and abstinence dysregulated the expression of genes for muscarinic receptors in the vSub, not in the VTA. Chrm4 was down-regulated following long-term alcohol and abstinence, while Chrm5 was up-regulated following long-term alcohol consumption. Consistent with these data, a positive allosteric modulator (VU0467154) of intra-vSub M₄ receptors reduced context-induced alcohol-seeking, but not motivation for alcohol self-administration, while M₅ receptor negative allosteric modulator (ML375) reduced initial motivation for alcohol self-administration, but not context-induced alcohol-seeking.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Collectively, our data highlight alcohol-induced cholinergic dysregulation in the vSub and distinct roles for M₄ and M₅ receptor allosteric modulators to reduce alcohol consumption or seeking.

Physical activity: A promising adjunctive treatment for severe alcohol use disorder

Substance use disorder develops from complex interactions between socio-environmental and neurobiological factors. A neurocognitive model of addiction, the triadic model, proposes that Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is the result of an imbalance between the reflective and the impulsive subcomponents along with a disruption of the regulatory subcomponent. Physical activity is considered as an emerging treatment for severe AUD (sAUD). This short review examines the efficacy and mechanisms of action of physical intervention as an adjunctive treatment in severe AUD (sAUD) within the theoretical framework of the triadic model. Physical activity is a feasible, safe, and less stigmatizing approach than classical treatments. It improves sAUD patients' mental and physical comorbidities. The key finding of this short review is that physical activity could contribute to a rebalancing of the triadic model in sAUD patients by 1) improving neuroplasticity and cognitive functioning, 2) reducing impulsivity and urgency, and improving emotional regulation, and 3) reducing craving. This rebalancing could eventually reduce the risk of relapse. However, due to methodological issues, it remains difficult to observe an effect of physical activity on drinking outcomes. At best, a trend towards a reduction in alcohol consumption was noted. The mechanisms that could explain the benefits of physical activity in sAUD patients involve multiple physiological processes such as dopaminergic or glutamatergic transmission and signaling or neuroplasticity. Future randomized controlled trials should include neuropsychological and impulsivity assessments, in more controlled environments. Physical activity could contribute to a personalization of sAUD treatment using each subcomponent of the triadic model as a therapeutic target. Physical exercise could be an adjunctive treatment for sAUD patients, favoring the benefit of more usual treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapies. It could also be a stand-alone intervention in less severe patients.

Contribution of sleep disturbances to the heterogeneity of cognitive and brain alterations in alcohol use disorder

Cognitive and brain alterations are common in alcohol use disorder and vary importantly from one patient to another. Sleep disturbances are also very frequent in these patients and remain largely neglected even though they can persist after drinking cessation. Sleep disturbances may be the consequence of specific brain alterations, resulting in cognitive impairments. But sleep disruption may also exacerbate alcohol-related brain abnormalities and cognitive deficits through common pathophysiological mechanisms. Besides, sleep disturbances seem a vulnerability factor for the development of alcohol use disorder. From a clinical perspective, sleep disturbances are known to affect treatment outcome and to increase the risk of relapse. In this article, we conducted a narrative review to provide a better understanding of the relationships between sleep disturbances, brain and cognition in alcohol use disorder. We suggest that the heterogeneity of brain and cognitive alterations observed in patients with alcohol use disorder could at least partially be explained by associated sleep disturbances. We also believe that sleep disruption could indirectly favor relapse by exacerbating neuropsychological impairments required in psychosocial treatment and for the maintenance of abstinence. Implications for clinical practice as well as perspectives for future research are proposed.

Environmental and Nutritional "Stressors" and Oligodendrocyte Dysfunction: Role of Mitochondrial and Endoplasmatic Reticulum Impairment

Oligodendrocytes are myelinating cells of the central nervous system which are generated by progenitor oligodendrocytes as a result of maturation processes. The main function of mature oligodendrocytes is to produce myelin, a lipid-rich multi-lamellar membrane that wraps tightly around neuronal axons, insulating them and facilitating nerve conduction through saltatory propagation. The myelination process requires the consumption a large amount of energy and a high metabolic turnover. Mitochondria are essential organelles which regulate many cellular functions, including energy production through oxidative phosphorylation. Any mitochondrial dysfunction impacts cellular metabolism and negatively affects the health of the organism. If the functioning of the mitochondria is unbalanced, the myelination process is impaired. When myelination has finished, oligodendrocyte will have synthesized about 40% of the total lipids present in the brain. Since lipid synthesis occurs in the cellular endoplasmic reticulum, the dysfunction of this organelle can lead to partial or deficient myelination, triggering numerous neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, the induced malfunction of oligodendrocytes by harmful exogenous stimuli has been outlined. In particular, the effects of alcohol consumption and heavy metal intake are discussed. Furthermore, the response of the oligodendrocyte to excessive mitochondrial oxidative stress and to the altered regulation of the functioning of the endoplasmic reticulum will be explored.

A randomized pilot trial of topiramate for alcohol use disorder in veterans with traumatic brain injury: Effects on alcohol use, cognition, and post-concussive symptoms

BACKGROUND

Topiramate is an effective treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD) and has also been used in the care of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). This pilot study aimed to obtain a preliminary assessment of topiramate's efficacy in reducing alcohol use and post-concussive symptoms, and its potential negative impact on cognitive function in 32 Veterans with co-occurring AUD and mTBI.

METHODS

This was a prospective 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of flexible-dose topiramate or placebo. Primary outcome was reduction of drinking days per week within the topiramate arm. Secondary outcomes included between group comparisons of alcohol use and craving, post-concussive symptoms, and cognitive function.

RESULTS

Drinking days per week significantly decreased within both the topiramate and placebo arm. There were no significant treatment-by-week interactions on alcohol use/craving, or post-concussive symptoms in intent-to-treat analyses. In per-protocol analyses, topiramate significantly reduced number of drinks per week compared with placebo. Topiramate transiently impaired verbal fluency and working memory. Processing speed, cognitive inhibition, and mental flexibility significantly improved between weeks 1 and 12, regardless of treatment arm.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant improvement occurred in both the topiramate and placebo groups over 12 weeks of treatment in alcohol use and post-concussive symptoms. Among treatment completers there was greater reduction of alcohol use in the topiramate arm. Topiramate was also associated with negative but transient effects on cognitive function. Results suggest both a possible benefit for topiramate treatment in reducing alcohol use and some potential for negative cognitive effects in Veterans with AUD and mTBI.

Chronic voluntary alcohol consumption causes persistent cognitive deficits and cortical cell loss in a rodent model

Chronic alcohol use is associated with cognitive decline that impedes behavioral change during rehabilitation. Despite this, addiction therapy does not address cognitive deficits, and there is poor understanding regarding the mechanisms that underlie this decline. We established a rodent model of chronic voluntary alcohol use to measure ensuing cognitive effects and underlying pathology. Rats had intermittent access to alcohol or an isocaloric solution in their home cage under voluntary 2-bottle choice conditions. In Experiments 1 and 2 cognition was assessed using operant touchscreen chambers. We examined performance in a visual discrimination and reversal task (Experiment 1), and a 5-choice serial reaction time task (Experiment 2). For Experiment 3, rats were perfused immediately after cessation of alcohol access period, and volume, cell density and microglial populations were assessed in the prefrontal cortex and striatum. Volume was assessed using the Cavalieri probe, while cell and microglial counts were estimated using unbiased stereology with an optical fractionator. Alcohol-exposed and control rats showed comparable acquisition of pairwise discrimination; however, performance was impaired when contingencies were reversed indicating reduced behavioral flexibility. When tested in a 5-choice serial reaction time task alcohol-exposed rats showed increased compulsivity and increased attentional bias towards a reward associated cue. Consistent with these changes, we observed decreased cell density in the prefrontal cortex. These findings confirm a detrimental effect of chronic alcohol and establish a model of alcohol-induced cognitive decline following long-term voluntary intake that may be used for future intervention studies.

Function and Mechanism of Myelin Regulation in Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Excessive alcohol use has adverse effects on the central nervous system (CNS) and can lead to alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Recent studies have suggested that myelin reductions may directly contribute to CNS dysfunctions associated with AUDs. Myelin consists of compact lipid membranes wrapped around axons to provide electrical insulation and trophic support. Regulation of myelin is considered as a new form of neural plasticity due to its profound impacts on the computation of neural networks. In this review, the authors first discuss experimental evidence showing how alcohol exposure causes demyelination in different brain regions, often accompanied by deficits in cognition and emotion. Next, they discuss postulated molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying alcohol's impact on myelin. It is clear that more extensive investigations are needed in this important but underexplored research field in order to gain a better understanding of the myelin-behavior relationship and to develop new treatment strategies for AUDs.

New steps for treating alcohol use disorder

Alcohol use disorder is a complex syndrome with multiple treatment points including drug-induced pathology, withdrawal management, behavioral/cognitive strategies, and relapse prevention. These different components may be complicated by genotype and phenotype. A huge milestone for the treatment of alcohol use disorder across several countries in the last 10 years was the introduction of practice guidelines integrating clinical expertise and research evidence. These provide a summary of interventions that have been shown to be effective following rigorous and replicated clinical trials. Inspection of these guidelines reveals good consistency, but little evidence of progress in treatment approaches for alcohol use disorder over the past decade. In this mini-review, we discuss emerging treatments for alcohol use disorder that may supplement or improve the evidence-based treatments that are currently recommended. New medications, the emergence of digital technology, and other novel approaches such as transcranial magnetic stimulation are all discussed with reference to treatments already in practice. We also consider how individual differences in genotype and phenotype may affect outcomes. Together with improvements in technology, this knowledge offers a powerful tool for designing personalized approaches to treatment, and hence improving prognosis for rehabilitation programs.

The alcoholic brain: neural bases of impaired reward-based decision-making in alcohol use disorders

Neuroeconomics is providing insights into the neural bases of decision-making in normal and pathological conditions. In the neuropsychiatric domain, this discipline investigates how abnormal functioning of neural systems associated with reward processing and cognitive control promotes different disorders, and whether such evidence may inform treatments. This endeavor is crucial when studying different types of addiction, which share a core promoting mechanism in the imbalance between impulsive subcortical neural signals associated with immediate pleasurable outcomes and inhibitory signals mediated by a prefrontal reflective system. The resulting impairment in behavioral control represents a hallmark of alcohol use disorders (AUDs), a chronic relapsing disorder characterized by excessive alcohol consumption despite devastating consequences. This review aims to summarize available magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence on reward-related decision-making alterations in AUDs, and to envision possible future research directions. We review functional MRI (fMRI) studies using tasks involving monetary rewards, as well as MRI studies relating decision-making parameters to neurostructural gray- or white-matter metrics. The available data suggest that excessive alcohol exposure affects neural signaling within brain networks underlying adaptive behavioral learning via the implementation of prediction errors. Namely, weaker ventromedial prefrontal cortex activity and altered connectivity between ventral striatum and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex likely underpin a shift from goal-directed to habitual actions which, in turn, might underpin compulsive alcohol consumption and relapsing episodes despite adverse consequences. Overall, these data highlight abnormal fronto-striatal connectivity as a candidate neurobiological marker of impaired choice in AUDs. Further studies are needed, however, to unveil its implications in the multiple facets of decision-making.