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Zeganadin L, Lopez-Castroman J, Auriacombe M, Luquiens A. Systematic review of patient contribution to the development of alcohol craving measurements. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2024. [PMID: 39090768 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Craving is considered one of the defining characteristics for alcohol or substance use disorders. There is no consensus on the underlying processes of craving, although multiple models exist. Craving is a very individualistic symptom and has to be self-reported. Several instruments have been developed to measure craving, without a recognized gold standard. The patient's perspective appears critical to determine the relevance of the numerous existing tools. We assessed the contribution of patients to the development of these instruments. We performed a systematic review of instruments measuring alcohol craving published from 2012 to 2023 from three databases (PubMed, PsycInfo, and Embase) in addition to those identified in a previous review by Kavanagh et al. from 1990 to 2012. We included all articles related to the development or validation of instruments for the assessment of alcohol craving. We identified and included in this review the corresponding instruments. Articles translating existing instruments without validation or on single-item instruments were excluded. We analyzed the articles in accordance with COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) recommendations to assess patient involvement in the creation of patient-reported outcome measures (PROM). Two key aspects were investigated: (1) the general design, encompassing the quality of construct description, identification of elements pertinent to a PROM, particularly the inclusion of concepts provided by patients, and (2) the quality of cognitive interviews (when conducted), to evaluate the comprehensiveness and comprehensibility of the PROM. We included 22 articles identifying 16 instruments for measuring alcohol craving. Patients only contributed to item development for one instrument and its short version (QAU and AUQ). None of the instruments met all of the developmental quality criteria, with 14 classed as "inadequate" and two as "doubtful." The current instruments measuring alcohol craving were developed with poor patient contribution, although most articles did not adequately report patient involvement. Patients' perspectives on craving should be explored for future patient-centered approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lionel Zeganadin
- Department of Addictology, CHU Nîmes, Univ Montpellier, Nîmes, France
- CH de Sète, Sète, France
| | - Jorge Lopez-Castroman
- Department of Psychiatry, CHU Nîmes, Univ Montpellier, Nimes, France
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, University of Montpellier, CNRS-INSERM, Montpellier, France
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Signal Theory and Communications, Carlos III University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marc Auriacombe
- Addiction Psychiatry Research, SANPSY, CNRS UMR 6033 and University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Addiction Clinic (Pôle Interétablissement d'Addictologie), CH Charles Perrens and CHU de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Amandine Luquiens
- Department of Addictology, CHU Nîmes, Univ Montpellier, Nîmes, France
- CESP, Univ. Paris-Sud, UVSQ, INSERM, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
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2
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Kotake K, Hosokawa T, Tanaka M, So R, Banno M, Kataoka Y, Shiroshita A, Hashimoto Y. Efficacy and safety of alcohol reduction pharmacotherapy according to treatment duration in patients with alcohol dependence or alcohol use disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Addiction 2024; 119:815-832. [PMID: 38173342 DOI: 10.1111/add.16421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Relapse is common in alcohol dependence (AD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD), so alcohol reduction therapy should be measured over as long a period as possible; however, existing reviews do not consider the duration of treatment and therefore alcohol reduction therapy may not have been appropriately evaluated. This review evaluated the efficacy and safety of alcohol reduction pharmacotherapy in patients with AD or AUD according to the duration of treatment. METHODS We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed 15 pharmacological agents. MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the ClinicalTrials.gov and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform were searched for eligible trials through to May 2021. Outcomes were heavy drinking days (HDD), total alcohol consumption (TAC), any adverse event and days without drinking. RESULTS Fifty-five RCTs (n = 8891) were included. Nalmefene was superior to placebo for reducing HDD (standard mean difference [SMD] -0.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.37, -0.18) and TAC (SMD -0.25, 95% CI -0.35, -0.16) in the long-term, but not in the short-term. Topiramate was superior to placebo for reducing HDD (SMD -0.35, 95% CI -0.59, -0.12) and days without drinking (SMD 0.46, 95% CI 0.11, 0.82), and baclofen was superior for reducing TAC (SMD -0.70, 95% CI -1.29, -0.11), in the short-term. The frequency of adverse events was higher with nalmefene and topiramate than with placebo. CONCLUSION Nalmefene, topiramate and baclofen may be effective as alcohol reduction pharmacotherapy; however, only nalmefene has demonstrated long-term efficacy, and nalmefene and topiramate have a significantly higher frequency of adverse events compared with placebo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazumasa Kotake
- Department of Pharmacy, Okayama Saiseikai General Hospital, Okayama, Japan
- Scientific Research Works Peer Support Group (SRWS-PSG), Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomonari Hosokawa
- Department of Psychiatry, Zikei Hospital/Zikei Institute of Psychiatry, Okayama, Japan
| | - Masuo Tanaka
- Department of Psychiatry, Zikei Hospital/Zikei Institute of Psychiatry, Okayama, Japan
| | - Ryuhei So
- Scientific Research Works Peer Support Group (SRWS-PSG), Osaka, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry, Okayama Psychiatric Medical Center, Okayama, Japan
| | - Masahiro Banno
- Scientific Research Works Peer Support Group (SRWS-PSG), Osaka, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry, Seichiryo Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yuki Kataoka
- Scientific Research Works Peer Support Group (SRWS-PSG), Osaka, Japan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyoto Min-iren Asukai Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Healthcare Epidemiology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine/School of Public Health, Kyoto, Japan
- Section of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Community Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akihiro Shiroshita
- Scientific Research Works Peer Support Group (SRWS-PSG), Osaka, Japan
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
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Donlon J, Kumari P, Varghese SP, Bai M, Florentin OD, Frost ED, Banks J, Vadlapatla N, Kam O, Shad MU, Rahman S, Abulseoud OA, Stone TW, Koola MM. Integrative Pharmacology in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders. J Dual Diagn 2024; 20:132-177. [PMID: 38117676 DOI: 10.1080/15504263.2023.2293854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
The detrimental physical, mental, and socioeconomic effects of substance use disorders (SUDs) have been apparent to the medical community for decades. However, it has become increasingly urgent in recent years to develop novel pharmacotherapies to treat SUDs. Currently, practitioners typically rely on monotherapy. Monotherapy has been shown to be superior to no treatment at all for most substance classes. However, many randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have revealed that monotherapy leads to poorer outcomes when compared with combination treatment in all specialties of medicine. The results of RCTs suggest that monotherapy frequently fails since multiple dysregulated pathways, enzymes, neurotransmitters, and receptors are involved in the pathophysiology of SUDs. As such, research is urgently needed to determine how various neurobiological mechanisms can be targeted by novel combination treatments to create increasingly specific yet exceedingly comprehensive approaches to SUD treatment. This article aims to review the neurobiology that integrates many pathophysiologic mechanisms and discuss integrative pharmacology developments that may ultimately improve clinical outcomes for patients with SUDs. Many neurobiological mechanisms are known to be involved in SUDs including dopaminergic, nicotinic, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), and kynurenic acid (KYNA) mechanisms. Emerging evidence indicates that KYNA, a tryptophan metabolite, modulates all these major pathophysiologic mechanisms. Therefore, achieving KYNA homeostasis by harmonizing integrative pathophysiology and pharmacology could prove to be a better therapeutic approach for SUDs. We propose KYNA-NMDA-α7nAChRcentric pathophysiology, the "conductor of the orchestra," as a novel approach to treat many SUDs concurrently. KYNA-NMDA-α7nAChR pathophysiology may be the "command center" of neuropsychiatry. To date, extant RCTs have shown equivocal findings across comparison conditions, possibly because investigators targeted single pathophysiologic mechanisms, hit wrong targets in underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms, and tested inadequate monotherapy treatment. We provide examples of potential combination treatments that simultaneously target multiple pathophysiologic mechanisms in addition to KYNA. Kynurenine pathway metabolism demonstrates the greatest potential as a target for neuropsychiatric diseases. The investigational medications with the most evidence include memantine, galantamine, and N-acetylcysteine. Future RCTs are warranted with novel combination treatments for SUDs. Multicenter RCTs with integrative pharmacology offer a promising, potentially fruitful avenue to develop novel therapeutics for the treatment of SUDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Donlon
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, New Jersey, USA
| | - Pooja Kumari
- Community Living Trent Highlands, Peterborough, Canada
| | - Sajoy P Varghese
- Addiction Recovery Treatment Services, Veterans Affairs Northern California Health Care System, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Michael Bai
- Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ori David Florentin
- Department of Psychiatry, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Emma D Frost
- Department of Neurology, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, New Jersey, USA
| | - John Banks
- Talkiatry Mental Health Clinic, New York, New York, USA
| | - Niyathi Vadlapatla
- Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
| | - Olivia Kam
- Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Mujeeb U Shad
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
| | - Shafiqur Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota, USA
| | - Osama A Abulseoud
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Alix School of Medicine at Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Trevor W Stone
- Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Maju Mathew Koola
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Cooper University Health Care, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, New Jersey, USA
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Guiraud J, Spanagel R, van den Brink W. Substitution therapy for patients with alcohol dependence: Mechanisms of action and efficacy. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 175:187-239. [PMID: 38555116 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2024.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
New approaches for the treatment of alcohol dependence (AD) may improve patient outcomes. Substitution maintenance therapy is one of the most effective treatment options for opioid and nicotine use disorders. So far, there has been little attention to substitution therapy for the treatment of AD. Here, we explain the mechanistic foundations of alcohol substitution maintenance therapy. Alcohol has many primary targets in the brain (and other organs) and the physical interaction of ethanol molecules with these specific ethanol-sensitive sites on a variety of ionotropic receptors (e.g. GABA-A, NMDA, and nicotinic acetylcholine (nACh) receptors) and ion channels provides the rationale for substitution. As such, a variety of compounds can interact with those ethanol-sensitive sites and can thus substitute for some of the effects of alcohol. For some of these compounds, alcohol discrimination studies have shown their substitution potential. Accordingly, potential substitution treatments include agonists acting at GABA receptors such as sodium oxybate, baclofen and benzodiazepines, NMDA receptor antagonists such as ketamine and memantine, or nAChRs agonists such as varenicline. All these compounds are already approved for other indications and we present clinical evidence for these drugs in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) and in the long-term treatment of AD, and outline future steps for their acceptance as substitution treatment in AD. Finally, we discuss the substitution approach of managed alcohol programs for the most severely affected homeless populations. Results showed that sodium oxybate is probably the closest to a substitution therapy for AD and is already approved for the treatment of AWS and in the long-term treatment of AD in some countries. In conclusion, we argue that better AD treatment can be provided if substitution maintenance treatments for alcohol are implemented at a similar scale as for opioid and nicotine use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Guiraud
- Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Vergio, Clichy, France.
| | - Rainer Spanagel
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Wim van den Brink
- Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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5
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Söderpalm B, Ericson M. Alcohol and the dopamine system. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 175:21-73. [PMID: 38555117 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2024.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
The mesolimbic dopamine pathway plays a major role in drug reinforcement and is likely involved also in the development of drug addiction. Ethanol, like most addictive drugs, acutely activates the mesolimbic dopamine system and releases dopamine, and ethanol-associated stimuli also appear to trigger dopamine release. In addition, chronic exposure to ethanol reduces the baseline function of the mesolimbic dopamine system. The molecular mechanisms underlying ethanol´s interaction with this system remain, however, to be unveiled. Here research on the actions of ethanol in the mesolimbic dopamine system, focusing on the involvement of cystein-loop ligand-gated ion channels, opiate receptors, gastric peptides and acetaldehyde is briefly reviewed. In summary, a great complexity as regards ethanol´s mechanism(s) of action along the mesolimbic dopamine system has been revealed. Consequently, several new targets and possibilities for pharmacotherapies for alcohol use disorder have emerged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Söderpalm
- Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Addiction and Dependency, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Mia Ericson
- Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Ray LA, Baskerville WA, Nieto SJ, Grodin E, Enders C, Kady A, Meredith L, Gillis A, Leventhal A, Ho D, Miotto K. A practice quit model to test early efficacy of medications for alcohol use disorder in a randomized clinical trial. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024; 241:543-553. [PMID: 38012333 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06504-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Screening novel medications for alcohol use disorder (AUD) requires models that are both efficient and ecologically-valid. Ideally, such models would be associated with the outcomes of a given medication in clinical trials. OBJECTIVES To test a novel human laboratory model in which individuals with intrinsic motivation to change their drinking engage in a "practice quit" attempt consisting of 6 days of complete abstinence from alcohol. METHOD Individuals with current AUD completed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of naltrexone (50 mg), varenicline (2 mg bid), or matched placebo. Participants were titrated onto the study medication for 1 week prior to starting the 6-day practice quit attempt. During the practice quit attempt, participants completed daily interviews with research staff. All participants completed an alcohol cue-exposure paradigm before starting the study medication and after 2 weeks of study medication. RESULTS There were no significant medication effect on drinks per drinking day (F(2,49) = 0.66, p = 0.52) or percent days abstinent (F(2,49) = 0.14, p = 0.87) during the 6-day practice quit period. There were no medication effects on alcohol cue-reactivity (F(2,44) = 0.80, p = 0.46). Notably, participants sharply reduced their drinking during the entire 13-day medication treatment period, as compared to reducing only during the 6-day practice quit period. During the total medication period, higher levels of motivation to change was associated with higher percent days abstinent (F(1,49) = 8.12, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS This study reports mostly null findings, which challenges us to decompose its nuanced design to consider model refinements. Possible changes to the model include considering the requirement for intrinsic motivation for change, including a longer practice quit period, encompassing the medication administration timeframe in the practice quit period, increasing the required sample size for signal detection, and examining a post COVID-19 pandemic cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara A Ray
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1563, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Brain Research Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Wave-Ananda Baskerville
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1563, USA
| | - Steven J Nieto
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1563, USA
| | - Erica Grodin
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Craig Enders
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1563, USA
| | - Annabel Kady
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1563, USA
| | - Lindsay Meredith
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1563, USA
| | - Artha Gillis
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Adam Leventhal
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Diana Ho
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1563, USA
| | - Karen Miotto
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Tuchman FR, Hallgren KA, Richards DK, Aldridge A, Anton RK, Aubin HJ, Kranzler HR, Mann K, O’Malley SS, Witkiewitz K. Reductions in WHO risk drinking levels correlate with alcohol craving among individuals with alcohol use disorder. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 48:420-429. [PMID: 38149364 PMCID: PMC10922776 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abstinence has historically been considered the preferred goal of alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatment. However, most individuals with AUD do not want to abstain and many are able to reduce their drinking successfully. Craving is often a target of pharmacological and behavioral interventions for AUD, and reductions in craving may signal recovery. Whether reductions in drinking during AUD treatment are associated with reductions in craving has not been well examined. METHODS We conducted secondary analyses of data from three AUD clinical trials (N's= 1327, 346, and 200). Drinking reductions from baseline to the end of treatment were measured as changes in World Health Organization (WHO) risk drinking levels; alcohol craving was measured using validated self-report measures. Regression analyses tested whether drinking reductions were associated with end-of-treatment craving reductions; moderation analyses tested whether associations between drinking reduction and end-of-treatment craving differed across AUD severity. RESULTS Reductions of at least 1 or at least 2 WHO risk drinking levels were associated with lower craving (all p's < 0.05). Results were substantively similar after removing abstainers at the end-of-treatment. Associations between drinking reductions and craving were generally not moderated by AUD severity. CONCLUSIONS Individuals with WHO risk drinking level reductions reported significantly lower craving, as compared to those who did not achieve meaningful reductions in drinking. The results demonstrate the utility of WHO risk drinking levels as AUD clinical trial endpoints and provide evidence that drinking reductions mitigate craving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia R. Tuchman
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, MSC 03-2220, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Kevin A. Hallgren
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Dylan K. Richards
- Center on Alcohol, Substance use, And Addictions (CASAA), University of New Mexico, MSC11-6280, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Arnie Aldridge
- Behavioral Health Financing, Economics and Evaluation Department, Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Raymond K. Anton
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Department, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Henri-Jean Aubin
- AP-HP. Université Paris Saclay, French Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), Paris, Île-de-France, FRANCE
| | - Henry R. Kranzler
- Center for Studies of Addiction, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Karl Mann
- Central Institute for Mental Health Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, DE
| | - Stephanie S. O’Malley
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Katie Witkiewitz
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, MSC 03-2220, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- Center on Alcohol, Substance use, And Addictions (CASAA), University of New Mexico, MSC11-6280, Albuquerque, NM, USA
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Singal AK, Leggio L, DiMartini A. Alcohol use disorder in alcohol-associated liver disease: Two sides of the same coin. Liver Transpl 2024; 30:200-212. [PMID: 37934047 DOI: 10.1097/lvt.0000000000000296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) has emerged as the leading indication for liver transplantation (LT) worldwide, with 40% of LTs in the United States performed for ALD in 2019. The ALD-related health care burden accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in young individuals. Alcohol use disorder (AUD), which focuses on the negative effects of alcohol on psychosocial, physical, and mental health, is present in the majority of patients with ALD, with moderate to severe AUD in 75%-80%. During the last decade, early liver transplantation (eLT) has emerged as a lifesaving treatment for selected patients with alcohol-associated hepatitis; these patients may have a higher risk of using alcohol after LT. The risk of alcohol use recurrence may be reduced during the pretransplant or post-transplant period with AUD treatment using behavioral and/or pharmacological therapies and with regular monitoring for alcohol use (self-reported and complemented with biomarkers like phosphatidylethanol). However, AUD treatment in patients with ALD is challenging due to patient, clinician, and system barriers. An integrated model to provide AUD and ALD care by hepatologists and addiction experts in a colocated clinic starting from LT evaluation and selection to monitoring listed candidates and then to following up on recipients of LT should be promoted. However, the integration of addiction and hepatology teams in an LT program in the real world is often present only during evaluation and candidate selection for LT. Data are emerging to show that a multidisciplinary integrated AUD treatment within an LT program reduces recurrent alcohol use after LT. If we want to continue using early liver transplantation for patients with severe alcohol-associated hepatitis, LT programs should focus on building integrated multidisciplinary care teams for the integrated treatment of both AUD and ALD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwani K Singal
- Department of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota, USA
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Avera McKennan University Hospital, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA
- Department of Transplant Hepatology, Avera Transplant Institute, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA
- Department of Medicine, VA Medical Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA
| | - Lorenzo Leggio
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Addiction Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Andrea DiMartini
- Departments of Psychiatry and Transplant Surgery, and the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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de Bejczy A, Lidö H, Söderpalm B. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial on the efficacy of varenicline and bupropion in combination and alone for treatment of alcohol use disorder: Protocol for the COMB study. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296118. [PMID: 38206930 PMCID: PMC10783749 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a major cause of premature death, disability and suffering. Available treatments are of modest efficacy and under-prescribed so there is a pressing need for a well-tolerated and effective treatment option for AUD. Dopamine is hypothesized to be involved in the development of alcohol dependence. To challenge the low-dopamine hypothesis of addiction, this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 13-week, multicentre clinical trial with four parallel arms is designed to evaluate the efficacy of two substances raising dopamine levels, varenicline and bupropion, alone and in combination vs. placebo on alcohol consumption in AUD. Varenicline, a partial agonist at brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors increases dopamine release, whereas bupropion is a centrally-acting, norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor. Varenicline is previously shown to reduce alcohol intake in individuals with AUD. We hypothesize that the effect size of a combination of two drugs affecting dopamine levels in the brain will exceed that of approved AUD therapies. METHODS Consenting individuals with AUD will be recruited via media advertisements. Those fulfilling the eligibility criteria (N = 380) will be randomized to one of four interventions (n = 95 per arm). Treatment will comprise one week of titration (varenicline 0.5‒2 mg; bupropion SR 150‒300 mg) plus 12 weeks at steady state. Efficacy will be evaluated using two primary endpoints of alcohol consumption: Heavy Drinking Days and blood levels of phosphatidylethanol. Secondary objectives, exploratory and subgroup analyses will be also performed. The modified Intention-to-Treat and Per Protocol datasets will be evaluated using Analysis of Covariance. Last patient out is estimated to occur in December, 2022. DISCUSSION The COMB Study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the combination of varenicline and bupropion, two drugs affecting dopamine, on alcohol consumption, and to challenge the low-dopamine hypothesis of addiction. Study Code COMB-BO8, EudraCT 2018-000048-24, Version 3.2, Lidö & deBejczy, 2020-06-16; https://clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT04167306.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea de Bejczy
- Addiction Biology Unit, Psychiatry and Neurochemistry Section, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Addiction and Dependency, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Helga Lidö
- Addiction Biology Unit, Psychiatry and Neurochemistry Section, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Addiction and Dependency, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Bo Söderpalm
- Addiction Biology Unit, Psychiatry and Neurochemistry Section, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Addiction and Dependency, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Olsson Y, Lidö H, Ademar K, Cadeddu D, Ericson M, Söderpalm B. The GlyT1-inhibitor Org 24598 facilitates the alcohol deprivation abolishing and dopamine elevating effects of bupropion + varenicline in rats. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2024; 131:95-106. [PMID: 37773223 PMCID: PMC10769923 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-023-02701-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a relapsing brain disorder that involves perturbations of brain dopamine (DA) systems, and combined treatment with varenicline + bupropion produces additive effects on accumbal DA output and abolishes the alcohol deprivation effect (ADE) in rats. Also, direct and indirect glycine receptor (GlyR) agonists raise basal DA, attenuate alcohol-induced DA release in the nucleus Accumbens (nAc) and reduce alcohol consumption in rats. This study in rats examines whether the GlyT1-inhibitor Org 24598, an indirect GlyR agonist, enhances the ADE-reducing and DA elevating action of the combined administration of varenicline + bupropion in lower doses than previously applied. Effects on voluntary alcohol consumption, the ADE and extracellular levels of glycine and DA in nAc were examined following treatment with Org 24598 6 and 9 mg/kg i.p., bupropion 3.75 mg/kg i.p. and varenicline 1.5 mg/kg s.c., in monotherapy or combined, using a two-bottle, free-choice alcohol consumption paradigm with an ADE paradigm, and in vivo microdialysis in male Wistar rats. Notably, all treatment regimens appeared to abolish the ADE but only the effect produced by the triple combination (Org24598 + varenicline + bupropion) was significant compared to vehicle. Hence, addition of Org 24598 may enhance the ADE-reducing action of varenicline + bupropion and appears to allow for a dose reduction of bupropion. Treatment with Org 24598 raised accumbal glycine levels but did not significantly alter DA output in monotherapy. Varenicline + bupropion produced a substantial elevation in accumbal DA output that was slightly enhanced following addition of Org 24598. Conceivably, the blockade of the ADE is achieved by the triple combination enhancing accumbal DA transmission in complementary ways, thereby alleviating a hypothesized hypodopaminergia and negative reinforcement to drink. Ultimately, combining an indirect or direct GlyR agonist with varenicline + bupropion may constitute a new pharmacological treatment principle for AUD, although further refinement in dosing and evaluation of other glycinergic compounds are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Olsson
- Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, PO Box 410, 405 30, Gothenburg, SE, Sweden.
- Beroendekliniken, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Helga Lidö
- Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, PO Box 410, 405 30, Gothenburg, SE, Sweden
- Beroendekliniken, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Karin Ademar
- Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, PO Box 410, 405 30, Gothenburg, SE, Sweden
| | - Davide Cadeddu
- Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, PO Box 410, 405 30, Gothenburg, SE, Sweden
| | - Mia Ericson
- Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, PO Box 410, 405 30, Gothenburg, SE, Sweden
| | - Bo Söderpalm
- Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, PO Box 410, 405 30, Gothenburg, SE, Sweden
- Beroendekliniken, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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11
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Ray LA, Nieto SJ, Meredith LR, Burnette E, Donato S, Magill M, Du H. Are medication effects on subjective response to alcohol and cue-induced craving associated? A meta regression study. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:1921-1930. [PMID: 37452887 PMCID: PMC10471658 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06409-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Alcohol administration and cue-reactivity paradigms are frequently used to screen for the initial efficacy of medications for alcohol use disorder (AUD). While medication effects on the primary outcomes for these paradigms are assumed to be qualitatively related, there is a critical lack of quantitative evidence to support this hypothesis. OBJECTIVES The study aims to test the relationship between medication effect sizes on subjective response to alcohol administration and medication effect sizes for cue-induced craving to cue exposure, using meta-analysis. METHODS Systematic literature searches were conducted to identify randomized trials, wherein AUD medications were tested using the alcohol administration and/or cue-reactivity paradigms. From these studies, descriptive statistics were collected to compute medication effect sizes on the primary outcomes for each respective paradigm. With medication as the unit of analysis, medication effect sizes in alcohol administration studies were compared with medication effect sizes in cue-reactivity studies using the Williamson-York regression which allows for meta-regression across independent samples. RESULTS Medication effect sizes on alcohol-induced stimulation and alcohol-induced craving were not significantly associated with medication effect sizes on cue-induced alcohol craving (k stimulation = 10 medications, [Formula: see text] and k craving = 11 medications, [Formula: see text] (SE = 0.237), [Formula: see text]), respectively. Medication effect sizes on alcohol-induced sedation were significantly associated with medication effects on cue-induced craving (k = 10 medications, [Formula: see text] (SE = 0.258), [Formula: see text]), such that medications that increased alcohol-induced sedation were more likely to reduce cue-induced alcohol craving. CONCLUSIONS With the exception of alcohol-induced sedation, there is little quantitative evidence of medication effects on subjective response domains measured during alcohol administration parallel medication effects on cue-induced alcohol craving. To provide additional context to the current study, future work should examine whether cue-reactivity findings predict clinical trial outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara A Ray
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1563, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Brain Research Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Steven J Nieto
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1563, USA
| | - Lindsay R Meredith
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1563, USA
| | - Elizabeth Burnette
- Brain Research Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Suzanna Donato
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1563, USA
| | - Molly Magill
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Han Du
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1563, USA
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12
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Quintanilla ME, Rivera-Meza M, Berríos-Cárcamo P, Cassels BK. Reduction of nicotine and ethanol intake in alcohol-preferring (UChB) female rats by the α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonists 5-bromocytisine and cytisine. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 250:110900. [PMID: 37515828 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are implicated in the reinforcing effects of nicotine and ethanol. Previous studies have shown that cytisine and its 5-bromo derivative are partial agonists at the α4β2 nAChRs and that the parent molecule cytisine is effective in reducing both nicotine- and ethanol-self-administration in rats. However, whether 5-bromocytisine affects nicotine or ethanol self-administration was unknown. OBJECTIVES The present study compared the effects of 5-bromocytisine and cytisine on nicotine self-administration and further assessed the effect of daily drug injection on voluntary ethanol consumption in alcohol-preferring female rats. Animals were administered a 1.5mg/kg i.p. dose of 5-bromocytisine or cytisine every day for 15-16 days. RESULTS The initial efficacy of 5-bromocytisine and cytisine in reducing nicotine intake was similar (-80%) while for voluntary ethanol intake 5-bromocytisine was a superior inhibitor over cytisine (-78% and -40% respectively). The efficacy of cytisine began to diminish after 10 days of daily administration, which was attributed to tolerance development to its inhibitory effects both on nicotine and ethanol self-administration. Tolerance did not develop for 5-bromocytisine. CONCLUSION 5-Bromocytisine, a weaker α4β2 nAChR partial agonist than cytisine, also produces a sustained inhibition of both nicotine and ethanol self-administration, and unlike cytisine, it does not develop tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Elena Quintanilla
- Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, Institute of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Mario Rivera-Meza
- Department of Pharmacological and Toxicological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Pablo Berríos-Cárcamo
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Clínica Alemana-Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7710162, Chile.
| | - Bruce K Cassels
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago 7800003, Chile.
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13
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Aranäs C, Blid Sköldheden S, Jerlhag E. Antismoking agents do not contribute synergistically to semaglutide's ability to reduce alcohol intake in rats. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1180512. [PMID: 37719854 PMCID: PMC10500129 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1180512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Preclinical studies have identified glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists, and the antismoking agents varenicline and bupropion as tentative agents for treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Combining different medications is a recent approach that has gained attention regarding heterogenous and difficult-to-treat diseases, like AUD. Successfully, this approach has been tested for the combination of varenicline and bupropion as it prevents relapse to alcohol drinking in rats. However, studies assessing the effects of the combination of semaglutide, an FDA-approved GLP-1R agonist for diabetes type II, and varenicline or bupropion to reduce alcohol intake in male and female rats remains to be conducted. Another approach to influence treatment outcome is to combine a medication with feeding interventions like high fat diet (HFD). While HFD reduces alcohol intake, the ability of the combination of HFD and semaglutide to alter alcohol drinking is unknown and thus the subject for a pilot study. Therefore, three intermittent alcohol drinking experiments were conducted to elucidate the effectiveness of these treatment combinations. We show that semaglutide, bupropion or HFD reduces alcohol intake in male as well as female rats. While various studies reveal beneficial effects of combinatorial pharmacotherapies for the treatment of AUD, we herein do not report any additive effects on alcohol intake by adding either varenicline or bupropion to semaglutide treatment. Neither does HFD exposure alter the ability of semaglutide to reduce alcohol intake. Although no additive effects by the combinatorial treatments are found, these findings collectively provide insight into possible monotherapeutical treatments for AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elisabet Jerlhag
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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14
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Marin MCD, Pedro MOP, Perrotte G, Martins-da-Silva AS, Lassi DLS, Blaas IK, Castaldelli FI, Brisola dos Santos MB, Kortas GT, Campos MW, Torales J, Ventriglio A, Périco CDAM, Negrão AB, Leopoldo K, de Andrade AG, Malbergier A, Castaldelli-Maia JM. Pharmacological Treatment of Alcohol Cravings. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1206. [PMID: 37626562 PMCID: PMC10452441 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13081206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The treatment of substance addiction is challenging and has persisted for decades, with only a few therapeutic options. Although there are some recommendations for specific treatments for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), there is no specific medication used to treat alcohol cravings, which could benefit millions of patients that are suffering from alcoholism. Cravings, or the urge to use drugs, refer to the desire to experience the effects of a previously experienced psychoactive substance. (2) Methods: We included original studies of alcohol abuse or dependence extracted from a controlled, blind, pharmacological treatment study which presented measures and outcomes related to alcohol cravings. (3) Results: Specific drugs used for the treatment of alcoholism, such as Naltrexone and Acamprosate, have had the best results in relieving craving symptoms, as well as promoting abstinence. Baclofen and anticonvulsants such as Gabapentin and Topiramate have shown good results in promoting abstinence and the cessation of cravings. (4) Conclusions: Specific drugs used for the treatment of alcoholism to obtain the best results can be considered the gold standard for promoting abstinence and relieving cravings. Anticonvulsants and Baclofen also had good results, with these medications being considered as second-line ones. Varenicline is an option for alcohol dependents who also concomitantly ingest tobacco.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus Cheibub David Marin
- Perdizes Institute (IPer), Clinics Hospital of the Medical School (HCFMUSP), University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05021-001, Brazil; (M.C.D.M.); (D.L.S.L.); (I.K.B.); (G.T.K.); (A.B.N.); (A.G.d.A.); (A.M.)
- Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo 01308-050, Brazil; (M.O.P.P.); (M.B.B.d.S.)
| | - Maria Olívia Pozzolo Pedro
- Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo 01308-050, Brazil; (M.O.P.P.); (M.B.B.d.S.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-903, Brazil; (A.S.M.-d.-S.); (K.L.)
| | - Giuliana Perrotte
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical School, FMABC University Center, Santo André 09060-870, Brazil; (G.P.); (C.d.A.-M.P.)
| | - Anderson S. Martins-da-Silva
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-903, Brazil; (A.S.M.-d.-S.); (K.L.)
| | - Dangela L. S. Lassi
- Perdizes Institute (IPer), Clinics Hospital of the Medical School (HCFMUSP), University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05021-001, Brazil; (M.C.D.M.); (D.L.S.L.); (I.K.B.); (G.T.K.); (A.B.N.); (A.G.d.A.); (A.M.)
| | - Israel Kanaan Blaas
- Perdizes Institute (IPer), Clinics Hospital of the Medical School (HCFMUSP), University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05021-001, Brazil; (M.C.D.M.); (D.L.S.L.); (I.K.B.); (G.T.K.); (A.B.N.); (A.G.d.A.); (A.M.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical School, FMABC University Center, Santo André 09060-870, Brazil; (G.P.); (C.d.A.-M.P.)
| | | | | | - Guilherme Trevizan Kortas
- Perdizes Institute (IPer), Clinics Hospital of the Medical School (HCFMUSP), University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05021-001, Brazil; (M.C.D.M.); (D.L.S.L.); (I.K.B.); (G.T.K.); (A.B.N.); (A.G.d.A.); (A.M.)
- Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo 01308-050, Brazil; (M.O.P.P.); (M.B.B.d.S.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-903, Brazil; (A.S.M.-d.-S.); (K.L.)
| | - Marcela Waisman Campos
- Department of Cognitive Neurology, Neuropsychiatry, and Neuropsychology, Fleni, Buenos Aires C1428AQK, Argentina;
| | - Julio Torales
- Department of Medical Psychology, School of Medical Sciences, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo 111454, Paraguay;
- Regional Institute of Health Research, Universidad Nacional de Caaguazú, Coronel Oviedo 050106, Paraguay
- School of Health Sciences, Universidad Sudamericana, Pedro Juan Caballero 130112, Paraguay
| | - Antonio Ventriglio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Medical School, University of Foggia, 71100 Foggia, Italy;
| | | | - André B. Negrão
- Perdizes Institute (IPer), Clinics Hospital of the Medical School (HCFMUSP), University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05021-001, Brazil; (M.C.D.M.); (D.L.S.L.); (I.K.B.); (G.T.K.); (A.B.N.); (A.G.d.A.); (A.M.)
| | - Kae Leopoldo
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-903, Brazil; (A.S.M.-d.-S.); (K.L.)
| | - Arthur Guerra de Andrade
- Perdizes Institute (IPer), Clinics Hospital of the Medical School (HCFMUSP), University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05021-001, Brazil; (M.C.D.M.); (D.L.S.L.); (I.K.B.); (G.T.K.); (A.B.N.); (A.G.d.A.); (A.M.)
- Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo 01308-050, Brazil; (M.O.P.P.); (M.B.B.d.S.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-903, Brazil; (A.S.M.-d.-S.); (K.L.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical School, FMABC University Center, Santo André 09060-870, Brazil; (G.P.); (C.d.A.-M.P.)
| | - André Malbergier
- Perdizes Institute (IPer), Clinics Hospital of the Medical School (HCFMUSP), University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05021-001, Brazil; (M.C.D.M.); (D.L.S.L.); (I.K.B.); (G.T.K.); (A.B.N.); (A.G.d.A.); (A.M.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-903, Brazil; (A.S.M.-d.-S.); (K.L.)
| | - João Maurício Castaldelli-Maia
- Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo 01308-050, Brazil; (M.O.P.P.); (M.B.B.d.S.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-903, Brazil; (A.S.M.-d.-S.); (K.L.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical School, FMABC University Center, Santo André 09060-870, Brazil; (G.P.); (C.d.A.-M.P.)
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15
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Olsson Y, Hodzic K, Wass C, Lidö H, Stangl BL, O'Connor S, Plawecki MH, Ramchandani VA, Söderpalm B, Jerlhag E. Free-access intravenous alcohol self-administration in social drinkers and individuals with alcohol use disorder: Evaluation of relationships with phosphatidylethanol and self-reported alcohol consumption. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 47:1453-1466. [PMID: 37331818 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The free-access (FA) intravenous alcohol self-administration (IV-ASA) paradigm is an experimental approach that can identify modulators of alcohol consumption in humans. Moreover, the outcome measures of IV-ASA paradigms are associated with self-reported alcohol intake using the timeline follow-back method (TLFB). To evaluate how FA IV-ASA reflects drinking in real life, we examined the relationship between an objective marker of recent alcohol intake, phosphatidylethanol in blood (B-PEth), and TLFB and measures obtained during IV-ASA in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and social drinkers (SD). We also explored the associations between these measures and gut-brain peptides involved in AUD pathophysiology. METHODS Thirty-eight participants completed a laboratory session in which they self-administered alcohol intravenously. The safety limit was 200 mg%, and main outcomes were mean and peak breath alcohol concentrations (BrAC). Blood samples were drawn prior to IV-ASA and subjective alcohol effects were rated during the experiment. RESULTS The study sample comprised 24 SD and 14 participants with DSM-5 mild AUD. Although BrACs were not associated with B-PEth or TLFB in the full sample or AUD subgroup, there was an association with TLFB in SD. In both subgroups, BrACs were associated with alcohol craving but with differential timing. Total ghrelin levels were higher in AUD participants than in SD. CONCLUSIONS No associations between B-PEth levels and achieved BrACs were observed in the mild AUD group, the SD group, or the full sample. The ability for FA IV-ASA to reflect recent drinking was confirmed only for TLFB in SD, whereas there were no associations within the smaller subsample of participants with mild AUD or in the full sample. Further studies that include a larger AUD sample are warranted. The association of BrACs with craving for alcohol suggests that the IV-ASA method may be useful for assessing interventions that target craving. This could be explored by using the FA IV-ASA model to evaluate the effects on craving of approved pharmacotherapies for AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Olsson
- Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Beroendekliniken, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kenan Hodzic
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Caroline Wass
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Helga Lidö
- Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Beroendekliniken, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Bethany L Stangl
- Human Psychopharmacology Laboratory, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sean O'Connor
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Martin H Plawecki
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Vijay A Ramchandani
- Human Psychopharmacology Laboratory, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Bo Söderpalm
- Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Beroendekliniken, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Elisabet Jerlhag
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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16
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Kranzler HR, Hartwell EE. Medications for treating alcohol use disorder: A narrative review. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 47:1224-1237. [PMID: 37526592 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Chronic heavy alcohol use impacts all major neurotransmitter systems and is associated with multiple medical, psychiatric, and social problems. Available evidence-based medications to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD) are underutilized in clinical practice. These medications promote abstinence or reduce alcohol consumption, though there are questions regarding their optimal dosage, length of treatment, and utility in combination with one another. Pharmacogenetic approaches, which use a patient's genetic make-up to inform medication selection, have garnered great interest but have yet to yield results robust enough to incorporate them in routine clinical care. This narrative review summarizes the evidence both for medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (disulfiram, oral naltrexone, acamprosate, and extended-release naltrexone) and those commonly used off-label (e.g., gabapentin, baclofen, and topiramate) for AUD treatment. We discuss these drugs' mechanisms of action, clinical use, pharmacogenetic findings, and treatment recommendations. We conclude that the most consistent evidence supporting the pharmacotherapy of AUD is for the opioid antagonists, naltrexone and nalmefene (which is not approved in the United States), and topiramate. These medications demonstrate consistent small or moderate effects in reducing the frequency of drinking and/or heavy drinking. Lastly, we make suggestions for research needed to refine and expand the current literature on effective pharmacotherapy for AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry R Kranzler
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Veterans Integrated Service Network 4, Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Crescenz VAMC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Emily E Hartwell
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Veterans Integrated Service Network 4, Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Crescenz VAMC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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17
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Mellinger JL, Fernandez AC, Winder GS. Management of alcohol use disorder in patients with chronic liver disease. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e00145. [PMID: 37314739 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) rates have risen dramatically in the United States, resulting in increasing rates of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), but many patients struggle to access alcohol use treatment. AUD treatment improves outcomes, including mortality, and represents the most urgent means by which care can be improved for those with liver disease (including ALD and others) and AUD. AUD care for those with liver disease involves 3 steps: detecting alcohol use, diagnosing AUD, and directing patients to alcohol treatment. Detecting alcohol use can involve questioning during the clinical interview, the use of standardized alcohol use surveys, and alcohol biomarkers. Identifying and diagnosing AUD are interview-based processes that should ideally be performed by a trained addiction professional, but nonaddiction clinicians can use surveys to determine the severity of hazardous drinking. Referral to formal AUD treatment should be made, especially where more severe AUD is suspected or identified. Therapeutic modalities are numerous and include different forms of one-on-one psychotherapy, such as motivational enhancement therapy or cognitive behavior therapy, group therapy, community mutual aid societies (such as Alcoholics Anonymous), inpatient addiction treatment, and relapse prevention medications. Finally, integrated care approaches that build strong relationships between addiction professionals and hepatologists or medical providers caring for those with liver disease are crucial to improving care for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Mellinger
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Anne C Fernandez
- Department of Psychiatry, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - G Scott Winder
- Department of Psychiatry, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Neurology, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Abstract
Background Nicotine receptor partial agonists may help people to stop smoking by a combination of maintaining moderate levels of dopamine to counteract withdrawal symptoms (acting as an agonist) and reducing smoking satisfaction (acting as an antagonist). This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in 2007. Objectives To assess the effectiveness of nicotine receptor partial agonists, including varenicline and cytisine, for smoking cessation. Search methods We searched the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group's Specialised Register in April 2022 for trials, using relevant terms in the title or abstract, or as keywords. The register is compiled from searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO. Selection criteria We included randomised controlled trials that compared the treatment drug with placebo, another smoking cessation drug, e‐cigarettes, or no medication. We excluded trials that did not report a minimum follow‐up period of six months from baseline. Data collection and analysis We followed standard Cochrane methods. Our main outcome was abstinence from smoking at longest follow‐up using the most rigorous definition of abstinence, preferring biochemically validated rates where reported. We pooled risk ratios (RRs), using the Mantel‐Haenszel fixed‐effect model. We also reported the number of people reporting serious adverse events (SAEs). Main results We included 75 trials of 45,049 people; 45 were new for this update. We rated 22 at low risk of bias, 18 at high risk, and 35 at unclear risk. We found moderate‐certainty evidence (limited by heterogeneity) that cytisine helps more people to quit smoking than placebo (RR 1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15 to 1.47; I2 = 83%; 4 studies, 4623 participants), and no evidence of a difference in the number reporting SAEs (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.37; I2 = 0%; 3 studies, 3781 participants; low‐certainty evidence). SAE evidence was limited by imprecision. We found no data on neuropsychiatric or cardiac SAEs. We found high‐certainty evidence that varenicline helps more people to quit than placebo (RR 2.32, 95% CI 2.15 to 2.51; I2 = 60%, 41 studies, 17,395 participants), and moderate‐certainty evidence that people taking varenicline are more likely to report SAEs than those not taking it (RR 1.23, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.48; I2 = 0%; 26 studies, 14,356 participants). While point estimates suggested increased risk of cardiac SAEs (RR 1.20, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.84; I2 = 0%; 18 studies, 7151 participants; low‐certainty evidence), and decreased risk of neuropsychiatric SAEs (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.29; I2 = 0%; 22 studies, 7846 participants; low‐certainty evidence), in both cases evidence was limited by imprecision, and confidence intervals were compatible with both benefit and harm. Pooled results from studies that randomised people to receive cytisine or varenicline found no clear evidence of difference in quit rates (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.26; I2 = 65%; 2 studies, 2131 participants; low‐certainty evidence) and reported SAEs (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.44 to 1.03; I2 = 45%; 2 studies, 2017 participants; low‐certainty evidence). However, the evidence was limited by imprecision, and confidence intervals incorporated the potential for benefit from either cytisine or varenicline. We found no data on neuropsychiatric or cardiac SAEs. We found high‐certainty evidence that varenicline helps more people to quit than bupropion (RR 1.36, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.49; I2 = 0%; 9 studies, 7560 participants), and no clear evidence of difference in rates of SAEs (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.31; I2 = 0%; 5 studies, 5317 participants), neuropsychiatric SAEs (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.16 to 7.04; I2 = 10%; 2 studies, 866 participants), or cardiac SAEs (RR 3.17, 95% CI 0.33 to 30.18; I2 = 0%; 2 studies, 866 participants). Evidence of harms was of low certainty, limited by imprecision. We found high‐certainty evidence that varenicline helps more people to quit than a single form of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) (RR 1.25, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.37; I2 = 28%; 11 studies, 7572 participants), and low‐certainty evidence, limited by imprecision, of fewer reported SAEs (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.99; I2 = 24%; 6 studies, 6535 participants). We found no data on neuropsychiatric or cardiac SAEs. We found no clear evidence of a difference in quit rates between varenicline and dual‐form NRT (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.20; I2 = 0%; 5 studies, 2344 participants; low‐certainty evidence, downgraded because of imprecision). While pooled point estimates suggested increased risk of SAEs (RR 2.15, 95% CI 0.49 to 9.46; I2 = 0%; 4 studies, 1852 participants) and neuropsychiatric SAEs (RR 4.69, 95% CI 0.23 to 96.50; I2 not estimable as events only in 1 study; 2 studies, 764 participants), and reduced risk of cardiac SAEs (RR 0.32, 95% CI 0.01 to 7.88; I2 not estimable as events only in 1 study; 2 studies, 819 participants), in all three cases evidence was of low certainty and confidence intervals were very wide, encompassing both substantial harm and benefit. Authors' conclusions Cytisine and varenicline both help more people to quit smoking than placebo or no medication. Varenicline is more effective at helping people to quit smoking than bupropion, or a single form of NRT, and may be as or more effective than dual‐form NRT. People taking varenicline are probably more likely to experience SAEs than those not taking it, and while there may be increased risk of cardiac SAEs and decreased risk of neuropsychiatric SAEs, evidence was compatible with both benefit and harm. Cytisine may lead to fewer people reporting SAEs than varenicline. Based on studies that directly compared cytisine and varenicline, there may be no difference or a benefit from either medication for quitting smoking. Future trials should test the effectiveness and safety of cytisine compared with varenicline and other pharmacotherapies, and should also test variations in dose and duration. There is limited benefit to be gained from more trials testing the effect of standard‐dose varenicline compared with placebo for smoking cessation. Further trials on varenicline should test variations in dose and duration, and compare varenicline with e‐cigarettes for smoking cessation. Can medications like varenicline and cytisine (nicotine receptor partial agonists) help people to stop smoking and do they cause unwanted effects? Key messages · Varenicline can help people to stop smoking for at least 6 months. Evidence shows it works better than bupropion and using only one type of nicotine replacement therapy (e.g. only patches). Quit rates might be similar to using more than one type of nicotine replacement therapy at the same time (e.g. patches and gum together). · Cytisine can help people to stop smoking for at least 6 months. It may work as well as varenicline, but future evidence may show that while it helps, it is not quite as helpful as varenicline. · Future studies should test the effectiveness and safety of cytisine compared with varenicline and other stop‐smoking medications, and should also investigate giving cytisine or varenicline at different doses and for different lengths of time. What are 'nicotine receptor partial agonists'? Smoking tobacco is extremely bad for people’s health. For people who smoke, quitting is the best thing they can do to improve their health. Many people find it difficult to quit smoking. Nicotine receptor partial agonists (NRPAs) are a type of medication used to help people to stop smoking. They help to reduce the withdrawal symptoms people experience when they stop smoking, like cravings and unpleasant mood changes. They also reduce the pleasure people usually experience when they smoke. The most widely‐available treatment in this drug type is varenicline. Cytisine is another, similar medication. They may cause unwanted effects such as feeling sick (nausea) and other stomach problems, difficulties sleeping, abnormal dreams, and headache. They may also lead to potentially serious unwanted effects, such as suicidal thoughts, heart problems and raised blood pressure. What did we want to find out? We wanted to find out if using NRPAs can help people to quit smoking, and if they cause unwanted effects. We wanted to know: · how many people stopped smoking for at least 6 months; and · how many people had unwanted effects. What did we do? We searched for studies that investigated NRPAs used to help people quit smoking. People in the studies had to be chosen at random to receive an NRPA, or another NRPA, placebo (medication like the NRPA but with no active ingredients) or no treatment. They had to be adult tobacco smokers who wanted to stop smoking. What did we find? We found 75 studies that compared NRPAs with: · placebo or no medicine; · nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches or gum; · bupropion (another medicine to help people stop smoking); · another NRPA; · e‐cigarettes. The USA hosted the most studies (28 studies). Other studies took place in a range of countries across the world, some in several countries. Main results People are more likely to stop smoking for at least six months using varenicline than using placebo (41 studies, 17,395 people), bupropion (9 studies, 7560 people), or just one type of nicotine replacement therapy, like patches alone (11 studies, 7572 people). They may be just as likely to quit as people using two or more kinds of nicotine replacement therapy, like patches and gum together (5 studies, 2344 people). Cytisine probably helps more people to stop smoking than placebo (4 studies, 4623 people) and may be just as effective as varenicline (2 studies, 2131 people). For every 100 people using varenicline to stop smoking, 21 to 25 might successfully stop, compared with only 18 of 100 people using bupropion, 18 of 100 people using a single form of nicotine‐replacement therapy, and 20 of 100 using two or more kinds of nicotine‐replacement therapy. For every 100 people using cytisine to stop smoking, 18 to 23 might successfully stop. The most common unwanted effect of varenicline is nausea, but this is mostly at mild or moderate levels and usually clears over time. People taking varenicline likely have an increased chance of a more serious unwanted effect that could result in going to hospital, however these are still rare (2.7% to 4% of people on varenicline, compared with 2.7% of people without) and may include many that are unrelated to varenicline. People taking cytisine may also have a slightly increased chance of serious unwanted effects compared with people not taking it, but this may be less likely compared with varenicline. What are the limitations of the evidence? The evidence for some of our results is very reliable. We’re very confident that varenicline helps people to quit smoking better than many alternatives. We’re less sure of some other results because fewer or smaller studies provided evidence. Several results suggest one treatment is better or less harmful than another, but the opposite could still be true. How up to date is the evidence? The evidence is up to date to 29 April 2022.
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Brown C, Ray A. Substance Use Disorders and Medication-Assisted Therapies: Current Practices and Implications for Nursing. Nurs Clin North Am 2023; 58:165-181. [PMID: 37105652 DOI: 10.1016/j.cnur.2023.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
In the United States, the opioid epidemic and COVID-19-related substance use have exacerbated the overall incidence of substance use disorders (SUDs). Medication-assisted therapy (MAT), or cognitive and behavioral therapy that combines medications that reduce substance use or acute withdrawal symptoms, has dramatically improved outcomes for SUD patients, including preventing mortality. With recent US Congressional funding for MAT, patients presenting for acute care on MAT-related medications will continue to increase. Nurses should be aware of these medications' mechanism of action, typical side effects, and implications on treating acute pain to optimize their care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Brown
- Novant Health, Winston-Salem, NC 27106, USA; Department of Academic Nursing, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA.
| | - Anisa Ray
- Emergency Room, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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Livingstone-Banks J, Fanshawe TR, Thomas KH, Theodoulou A, Hajizadeh A, Hartman L, Lindson N. Nicotine receptor partial agonists for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; 5:CD006103. [PMID: 37142273 PMCID: PMC10169257 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd006103.pub8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nicotine receptor partial agonists may help people to stop smoking by a combination of maintaining moderate levels of dopamine to counteract withdrawal symptoms (acting as an agonist) and reducing smoking satisfaction (acting as an antagonist). This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in 2007. OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of nicotine receptor partial agonists, including varenicline and cytisine, for smoking cessation. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group's Specialised Register in April 2022 for trials, using relevant terms in the title or abstract, or as keywords. The register is compiled from searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials that compared the treatment drug with placebo, another smoking cessation drug, e-cigarettes, or no medication. We excluded trials that did not report a minimum follow-up period of six months from baseline. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We followed standard Cochrane methods. Our main outcome was abstinence from smoking at longest follow-up using the most rigorous definition of abstinence, preferring biochemically validated rates where reported. We pooled risk ratios (RRs), using the Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effect model. We also reported the number of people reporting serious adverse events (SAEs). MAIN RESULTS We included 75 trials of 45,049 people; 45 were new for this update. We rated 22 at low risk of bias, 18 at high risk, and 35 at unclear risk. We found moderate-certainty evidence (limited by heterogeneity) that cytisine helps more people to quit smoking than placebo (RR 1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15 to 1.47; I2 = 83%; 4 studies, 4623 participants), and no evidence of a difference in the number reporting SAEs (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.37; I2 = 0%; 3 studies, 3781 participants; low-certainty evidence). SAE evidence was limited by imprecision. We found no data on neuropsychiatric or cardiac SAEs. We found high-certainty evidence that varenicline helps more people to quit than placebo (RR 2.32, 95% CI 2.15 to 2.51; I2 = 60%, 41 studies, 17,395 participants), and moderate-certainty evidence that people taking varenicline are more likely to report SAEs than those not taking it (RR 1.23, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.48; I2 = 0%; 26 studies, 14,356 participants). While point estimates suggested increased risk of cardiac SAEs (RR 1.20, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.84; I2 = 0%; 18 studies, 7151 participants; low-certainty evidence), and decreased risk of neuropsychiatric SAEs (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.29; I2 = 0%; 22 studies, 7846 participants; low-certainty evidence), in both cases evidence was limited by imprecision, and confidence intervals were compatible with both benefit and harm. Pooled results from studies that randomised people to receive cytisine or varenicline showed that more people in the varenicline arm quit smoking (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.05; I2 = 0%; 2 studies, 2131 participants; moderate-certainty evidence) and reported SAEs (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.44 to 1.03; I2 = 45%; 2 studies, 2017 participants; low-certainty evidence). However, the evidence was limited by imprecision, and confidence intervals incorporated the potential for benefit from either cytisine or varenicline. We found no data on neuropsychiatric or cardiac SAEs. We found high-certainty evidence that varenicline helps more people to quit than bupropion (RR 1.36, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.49; I2 = 0%; 9 studies, 7560 participants), and no clear evidence of difference in rates of SAEs (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.31; I2 = 0%; 5 studies, 5317 participants), neuropsychiatric SAEs (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.16 to 7.04; I2 = 10%; 2 studies, 866 participants), or cardiac SAEs (RR 3.17, 95% CI 0.33 to 30.18; I2 = 0%; 2 studies, 866 participants). Evidence of harms was of low certainty, limited by imprecision. We found high-certainty evidence that varenicline helps more people to quit than a single form of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) (RR 1.25, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.37; I2 = 28%; 11 studies, 7572 participants), and low-certainty evidence, limited by imprecision, of fewer reported SAEs (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.99; I2 = 24%; 6 studies, 6535 participants). We found no data on neuropsychiatric or cardiac SAEs. We found no clear evidence of a difference in quit rates between varenicline and dual-form NRT (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.20; I2 = 0%; 5 studies, 2344 participants; low-certainty evidence, downgraded because of imprecision). While pooled point estimates suggested increased risk of SAEs (RR 2.15, 95% CI 0.49 to 9.46; I2 = 0%; 4 studies, 1852 participants) and neuropsychiatric SAEs (RR 4.69, 95% CI 0.23 to 96.50; I2 not estimable as events only in 1 study; 2 studies, 764 participants), and reduced risk of cardiac SAEs (RR 0.32, 95% CI 0.01 to 7.88; I2 not estimable as events only in 1 study; 2 studies, 819 participants), in all three cases evidence was of low certainty and confidence intervals were very wide, encompassing both substantial harm and benefit. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Cytisine and varenicline both help more people to quit smoking than placebo or no medication. Varenicline is more effective at helping people to quit smoking than bupropion, or a single form of NRT, and may be as or more effective than dual-form NRT. People taking varenicline are probably more likely to experience SAEs than those not taking it, and while there may be increased risk of cardiac SAEs and decreased risk of neuropsychiatric SAEs, evidence was compatible with both benefit and harm. Cytisine may lead to fewer people reporting SAEs than varenicline. Based on studies that directly compared cytisine and varenicline, there may be a benefit from varenicline for quitting smoking, however further evidence could strengthen this finding or demonstrate a benefit from cytisine. Future trials should test the effectiveness and safety of cytisine compared with varenicline and other pharmacotherapies, and should also test variations in dose and duration. There is limited benefit to be gained from more trials testing the effect of standard-dose varenicline compared with placebo for smoking cessation. Further trials on varenicline should test variations in dose and duration, and compare varenicline with e-cigarettes for smoking cessation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomas R Fanshawe
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Kyla H Thomas
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Annika Theodoulou
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Anisa Hajizadeh
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lilian Hartman
- University of Oxford Medical School, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Nicola Lindson
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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21
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Heilig M. Stress-related neuropeptide systems as targets for treatment of alcohol addiction: A clinical perspective. J Intern Med 2023; 293:559-573. [PMID: 37052145 DOI: 10.1111/joim.13636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol use is a major cause of disability and death globally. These negative consequences disproportionately affect people who develop alcohol addiction, a chronic relapsing condition characterized by increased motivation to use alcohol, choice of alcohol over healthy, natural rewards, and continued use despite negative consequences. Available pharmacotherapies for alcohol addiction are few, have effect sizes in need of improvement, and remain infrequently prescribed. Research aimed at developing novel therapeutics has in large part focused on attenuating pleasurable or "rewarding" properties of alcohol, but this targets processes that primarily play a role as initiation factors. As clinical alcohol addiction develops, long-term changes in brain function result in a shift of affective homeostasis, and rewarding alcohol effects become progressively reduced. Instead, increased stress sensitivity and negative affective states emerge in the absence of alcohol and create powerful incentives for relapse and continued use through negative reinforcement, or "relief." Based on research in animal models, several neuropeptide systems have been proposed to play an important role in this shift, suggesting that these systems could be targeted by novel medications. Two mechanisms in this category, antagonism at corticotropin-releasing factor type 1, and neurokinin 1/substance P receptors, have been subject to initial evaluation in humans. A third, kappa-opioid receptor antagonism, has been evaluated in nicotine addiction and could soon be tested for alcohol. This paper discusses findings with these mechanisms to date, and their prospects as future targets for novel medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Heilig
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, BKV, Linköping University and Department of Psychiatry, Linköping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden
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Gheidi A, Fitzpatrick CJ, Gregory JD, Morrow JD. Nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonism dose-dependently decreases sign- but not goal-tracking behavior in male rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:871-880. [PMID: 36795109 PMCID: PMC10599605 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06328-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Acetylcholinergic antagonists have shown some promise in reducing addiction-related behaviors in both preclinical and clinical studies. However, the psychological mechanisms by which these drugs are able to affect addictive behavior remain unclear. A particular key process for the development of addiction is the attribution of incentive salience to reward-related cues, which can be specifically measured in animals using a Pavlovian conditioned approach procedure. When confronted with a lever that predicts food delivery, some rats engage with the lever directly (i.e., they sign track), indicating attribution of incentive-motivational properties to the lever itself. In contrast, others treat the lever as a predictive cue and approach the location of impending food delivery (i.e., they goal track), without treating the lever itself as a reward. OBJECTIVES We tested whether systemic antagonism of the either nicotinic or muscarinic acetylcholine receptors would selectively affect sign- or goal-tracking behavior, indicating a selective effect on incentive salience attribution. METHODS A total of 98 male Sprague Dawley rats were either given the muscarinic antagonist scopolamine (100, 50, or 10 µg/kg i.p.) or the nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine (0.3, 1.0, or 3 mg/kg i.p.) before being trained on a Pavlovian conditioned approach procedure. RESULTS Scopolamine dose-dependently decreased sign tracking behavior and increased goal-tracking behavior. Mecamylamine reduced sign-tracking but did not affect goal-tracking behavior. CONCLUSIONS Antagonism of either muscarinic or nicotinic acetylcholine receptors can reduce incentive sign-tracking behavior in male rats. This effect appears to be specifically due to a reduction in incentive salience attribution since goal-tracking either increased or was not affected by these manipulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Gheidi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University, Macon, USA
| | | | - Jordan D Gregory
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Jonathan D Morrow
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
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Kamens HM, Flarend G, Horton WJ. The role of nicotinic receptors in alcohol consumption. Pharmacol Res 2023; 190:106705. [PMID: 36813094 PMCID: PMC10083870 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
The use of alcohol causes significant morbidity and mortality across the globe. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is defined by the excessive use of this drug despite a negative impact on the individual's life. While there are currently medications available to treat AUD, they have limited efficacy and several side effects. As such, it is essential to continue to look for novel therapeutics. One target for novel therapeutics is nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Here we systematically review the literature on the involvement of nAChRs in alcohol consumption. Data from both genetic and pharmacology studies provide evidence that nAChRs modulate alcohol intake. Interestingly, pharmacological modulation of all nAChR subtypes examined can decrease alcohol consumption. The reviewed literature demonstrates that nAChRs should continue to be investigated as novel therapeutics for AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen M Kamens
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States.
| | - Geneva Flarend
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States
| | - William J Horton
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States
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24
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Leggio L, Mellinger JL. Alcohol use disorder in community management of chronic liver diseases. Hepatology 2023; 77:1006-1021. [PMID: 35434815 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Rising rates of alcohol use disorder (AUD) combined with increases in alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) and other liver disease have resulted in the need to develop alcohol management strategies at all levels of patient care. For those with pre-existing liver disease, whether ALD or others, attention to alcohol use treatment and abstinence becomes critical to avoiding worsening liver-related consequences. Modalities to help patients reduce or stop alcohol include screening/brief intervention/referral to treatment, various therapeutic modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy and 12-step facilitation, and alcohol relapse prevention medications. Harm reduction approaches versus total abstinence may be considered, but for those with existing ALD, particularly advanced ALD (cirrhosis or acute alcoholic hepatitis), total abstinence from alcohol is the recommendation, given clear data that ongoing alcohol use worsens mortality and liver-related morbidity. For certain populations, alcohol cessation is even more critically important. For those with hepatitis C or NAFLD, alcohol use accelerates negative liver-related outcomes. In women, alcohol use accelerates liver damage and results in worsened liver-related mortality. Efforts to integrate AUD and liver disease care are urgently needed and can occur at several levels, with establishment of multidisciplinary ALD clinics for fully integrated co-management as an important goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Leggio
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section , Translational Addiction Medicine Branch , National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism , National Institutes of Health , Baltimore and Bethesda , Maryland , USA
- Medication Development Program , National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program , National Institutes of Health , Baltimore , Maryland , USA
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies , Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences , School of Public Health , Brown University , Providence , Rhode Island , USA
- Division of Addiction Medicine , Department of Medicine , School of Medicine , Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , Maryland , USA
- Department of Neuroscience , Georgetown University Medical Center , Washington , DC , USA
| | - Jessica L Mellinger
- Department of Internal Medicine , Michigan Medicine , Ann Arbor , Michigan , USA
- Department of Psychiatry , Michigan Medicine , Ann Arbor , Michigan , USA
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25
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Phimarn W, Sakhancord R, Paitoon P, Saramunee K, Sungthong B. Efficacy of Varenicline in the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence: An Updated Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4091. [PMID: 36901103 PMCID: PMC10001935 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although varenicline has been used for alcohol dependence (AD) treatment, its efficacy for this condition remains controversial. AIMS This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assesses the efficacy and safety of varenicline in patients with AD. METHODS PubMed, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and ThaiLis were systematically searched. RCTs investigating the efficacy and safety of varenicline in patients with AD were included. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment were independently performed by two authors. The Jadad score and Cochrane risk of bias were used to assess the quality of the included studies. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 and chi-squared tests. RESULTS Twenty-two high-quality RCTs on 1421 participants were included. Varenicline significantly reduced alcohol-related outcomes compared with placebo based on percentage of abstinent days (standardized mean difference [SMD] 4.20 days; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.21, 8.19; p = 0.04), drinks per day (SMD -0.23 drinks; 95% CI: -0.43, -0.04; p = 0.02), drinks per drinking day (SMD -0.24 drinks; 95% CI: -0.44, -0.05; p = 0.01), craving assessed using the Penn alcohol craving scale (SMD -0.35; 95% CI: -0.59, -0.12; p = 0.003), and craving assessed using the alcohol urge questionnaire (SMD -1.41; 95% CI: -2.12, -0.71; p < 0.0001). However, there were no significant effects on abstinence rate, percentage of drinking days, percentage of heavy drinking days, alcohol intoxication, or drug compliance. Serious side effects were not observed in the varenicline or placebo groups. CONCLUSION Our results indicated that AD patients treated with varenicline showed improvement in percentage of very heavy drinking days, percentage of abstinent days, drinks per day, drinks per drinking day, and craving. However, well-designed RCTs with a large sample size and long duration on varenicline treatment in AD remain warranted to confirm our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiraphol Phimarn
- Social Pharmacy Research Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahasarakham University, Kantharawichai District, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand
| | - Rotjanawat Sakhancord
- Social Pharmacy Research Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahasarakham University, Kantharawichai District, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand
| | - Peerasaran Paitoon
- Social Pharmacy Research Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahasarakham University, Kantharawichai District, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand
| | - Kritsanee Saramunee
- Social Pharmacy Research Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahasarakham University, Kantharawichai District, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand
| | - Bunleu Sungthong
- Integrative Pharmaceuticals and Innovative of Pharmaceutical Technology Research Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahasarakham University, Kantharawichai District, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand
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Bach P, de Timary P, Gründer G, Cumming P. Molecular Imaging Studies of Alcohol Use Disorder. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2023. [PMID: 36639552 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2022_414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a serious public health problem in many countries, bringing a gamut of health risks and impairments to individuals and a great burden to society. Despite the prevalence of a disease model of AUD, the current pharmacopeia does not present reliable treatments for AUD; approved treatments are confined to a narrow spectrum of medications engaging inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission and possibly excitatory N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, and opioid receptor antagonists. Molecular imaging with positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) can open a window into the living brain and has provided diverse insights into the pathology of AUD. In this narrative review, we summarize the state of molecular imaging findings on the pharmacological action of ethanol and the neuropathological changes associated with AUD. Laboratory and preclinical imaging results highlight the interactions between ethanol and GABA A-type receptors (GABAAR), but the interpretation of such results is complicated by subtype specificity. An abundance of studies with the glucose metabolism tracer fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) concur in showing cerebral hypometabolism after ethanol challenge, but there is relatively little data on long-term changes in AUD. Alcohol toxicity evokes neuroinflammation, which can be tracked using PET with ligands for the microglial marker translocator protein (TSPO). Several PET studies show reversible increases in TSPO binding in AUD individuals, and preclinical results suggest that opioid-antagonists can rescue from these inflammatory responses. There are numerous PET/SPECT studies showing changes in dopaminergic markers, generally consistent with an impairment in dopamine synthesis and release among AUD patients, as seen in a number of other addictions; this may reflect the composite of an underlying deficiency in reward mechanisms that predisposes to AUD, in conjunction with acquired alterations in dopamine signaling. There is little evidence for altered serotonin markers in AUD, but studies with opioid receptor ligands suggest a specific up-regulation of the μ-opioid receptor subtype. Considerable heterogeneity in drinking patterns, gender differences, and the variable contributions of genetics and pre-existing vulnerability traits present great challenges for charting the landscape of molecular imaging in AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Bach
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Philippe de Timary
- Department of Adult Psychiatry, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc and Institute of Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gerhard Gründer
- Department of Molecular Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Paul Cumming
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- International Centre for Education and Research in Neuropsychiatry (ICERN), Samara State Medical University, Samara, Russia
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Yokoyama A, Kimura M, Yoshimura A, Matsushita S, Yoneda J, Maesato H, Komoto Y, Nakayama H, Sakuma H, Yumoto Y, Takimura T, Toyama T, Iwahara C, Mizukami T, Yokoyama T, Higuchi S. Nonsmoking after simultaneous alcohol abstinence and smoking cessation program was associated with better drinking status outcome in Japanese alcohol-dependent men: A prospective follow-up study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282992. [PMID: 36989266 PMCID: PMC10057780 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Growing evidence suggests that intervention for smoking cessation enhances alcohol abstinence in treatment settings for alcohol dependence. However, research in this field is rare in Asians. METHOD We prospectively investigated the association of smoking status with drinking status using 9 surveys mailed during a 12-month period in 198 Japanese alcohol-dependent men (70 never/ex-smokers and 128 smokers) who admitted for the first time and completed a 3-month inpatient program for simultaneous alcohol abstinence and smoking cessation. RESULTS Nonsmoking during the first month after discharge and at the end of follow-up was reported in 28.9% and 25.0% of the baseline smokers, respectively. Kaplan-Meier estimates showed that a 12-month alcohol abstinence and heavy-drinking-free status were more frequent among never/ex-smokers (45.1% and 59.8%, respectively) and baseline smokers who quit smoking during the first month after discharge (59.0% and 60.8%, respectively), compared with sustained smokers (30.0% and 41.2%, respectively). Among the baseline smokers, the multivariate odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for smoking cessation during the first month were 2.77 (1.01-7.61) for alcohol abstinence during the period and 2.50 (1.00-6.25) for use of varenicline, a smoking cessation agent, during the inpatient program. After adjusting for age, drinking profile, lifestyle, family history of heavy or problem drinking, lifetime episodes of other major psychiatric disorders, and medications at discharge, the multivariate hazard ratios (HRs) for drinking lapse were 0.57 (0.37-0.89) for the never/ex-smoking and 0.41 (0.23-0.75) for new smoking cessation groups, respectively, compared with sustained smoking, while the corresponding HRs for heavy-drinking lapse were 0.55 (0.33-0.90) and 0.47 (0.25-0.88), respectively. The HR for drinking lapse was 0.63 (0.42-0.95) for the nonsmoking group (vs. smoking) during the observation period, while the HR for heavy-drinking lapse was 0.58 (0.37-0.91) for the nonsmoking group (vs. smoking) during the observation period. Other significant variables that worsened drinking outcomes were higher daily alcohol intake prior to hospitalization, family history of heavy or problem drinking and psychiatric medications at discharge. CONCLUSION Nonsmoking was associated with better outcomes on the drinking status of Japanese alcohol-dependent men, and a smoking cessation program may be recommended to be integrated into alcohol abstinence programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Yokoyama
- National Hospital Organization Kurihama Medical and Addiction Center, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Kimura
- National Hospital Organization Kurihama Medical and Addiction Center, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Atsushi Yoshimura
- Division of Psychiatry, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Sachio Matsushita
- National Hospital Organization Kurihama Medical and Addiction Center, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Junichi Yoneda
- National Hospital Organization Kurihama Medical and Addiction Center, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Maesato
- National Hospital Organization Kurihama Medical and Addiction Center, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yasunobu Komoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Yoshino Hospital, Machida, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideki Nakayama
- Department of Psychiatry, Asahiyama Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Sakuma
- Department of Psychiatry, National Hospital Organization Saigata Medical Center, Joetsu, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yosuke Yumoto
- National Hospital Organization Kurihama Medical and Addiction Center, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Takimura
- National Hospital Organization Kurihama Medical and Addiction Center, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tomomi Toyama
- National Hospital Organization Kurihama Medical and Addiction Center, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Chie Iwahara
- Department of Psychiatry, Hakuhou Clinic, Saitama, Saitama, Japan
| | - Takeshi Mizukami
- National Hospital Organization Kurihama Medical and Addiction Center, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tetsuji Yokoyama
- Department of Health Promotion, National Institute of Public Health, Wako, Saitama, Japan
| | - Susumu Higuchi
- National Hospital Organization Kurihama Medical and Addiction Center, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan
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Adekunle AD, Adejumo A, Singal AK. Therapeutic targets in alcohol-associated liver disease: progress and challenges. Therap Adv Gastroenterol 2023; 16:17562848231170946. [PMID: 37187673 PMCID: PMC10176580 DOI: 10.1177/17562848231170946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a complex disease with rapidly increasing prevalence. Although there are promising therapeutic targets on the horizon, none of the newer targets is currently close to an Food and Drug Administration approval. Strategies are needed to overcome challenges in study designs and conducting clinical trials and provide impetus to the field of drug development in the landscape of ALD and alcoholic hepatitis. Management of ALD is complex and should include therapies to achieve and maintain alcohol abstinence, preferably delivered by a multidisciplinary team. Although associated with clear mortality benefit in select patients, the use of early liver transplantation still requires refinement to create uniformity in selection protocols across transplant centers. There is also a need for reliable noninvasive biomarkers for prognostication. Last but not the least, strategies are urgently needed to implement integrated multidisciplinary care models for treating the dual pathology of alcohol use disorder and of liver disease for improving the long-term outcomes of patients with ALD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayooluwatomiwa Deborah Adekunle
- Department of Internal Medicine, St. Luke’s
Hospital, Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
- Division of Hepatology, University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Division of Transplant Hepatology, University
of South Dakota Sanford Medical School, Sioux Falls, SD
| | - Adeyinka Adejumo
- Department of Internal Medicine, St. Luke’s
Hospital, Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
- Division of Hepatology, University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Division of Transplant Hepatology, University
of South Dakota Sanford Medical School, Sioux Falls, SD
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Nieto SJ, Enders CK, Witkiewitz K, O'Malley SS, Ray LA. Combination treatment with varenicline and naltrexone reduces World Health Organization risk drinking levels. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2022; 46:2258-2266. [PMID: 36515648 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The U.S. Food and Drug Administration identifies abstinence and the absence of heavy drinking days as outcomes for pharmacotherapy trials for alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, many individuals with AUD struggle to achieve these outcomes, which may discourage them from seeking treatment. World Health Organization (WHO) risk drinking levels have garnered attention in the alcohol field as potential non-abstinent outcomes for AUD medication trials. Further, testing combination pharmacotherapy for AUD represents an important direction in the field, particularly using medications such as naltrexone and varenicline, which are approved for treating AUD and smoking, respectively. The objective of the current study was to test the utility of the WHO risk drinking levels as a drinking outcome in a randomized clinical trial of combined varenicline and naltrexone for smoking cessation and drinking reduction. These analyses provide additional tests of the efficacy of this combination treatment. METHODS The current study is a secondary analysis of a phase 2, randomized, double-blind clinical trial, wherein participants (N = 165) who were daily smokers and heavy drinkers were randomly assigned to receive either 2 mg/day of varenicline plus 50 mg/day of naltrexone or 2 mg/day of varenicline plus placebo for 12 weeks. Medication effects on 1- and 2-level reductions in WHO risk drinking levels were assessed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks into the active medication period. RESULTS In logistic growth curve models individuals receiving the combined treatment had greater reductions in WHO risk drinking levels than individuals taking varenicline alone when assessed at 4 weeks into the active medication period. Among individuals who were WHO high and very high risk drinkers at baseline, the largest effect sizes favoring combination treatment were at Week 4 for the WHO 2-level reduction outcome (Cohen's h = 0.202) and Week 12 for the WHO 1-level reduction outcome (Cohen's h = 0.244), although these effects did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide evidence that combined varenicline plus naltrexone treatment is effective at reducing WHO risk drinking levels, particularly among individuals who smoke cigarettes daily and drink heavily. These results add to a growing body of literature validating reductions in WHO risk drinking levels as outcomes of alcohol medication trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Nieto
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Craig K Enders
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Katie Witkiewitz
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | | | - Lara A Ray
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Mason BJ. Looking Back, Looking Forward: Current Medications and Innovative Potential Medications to Treat Alcohol Use Disorder. Alcohol Res 2022; 42:11. [PMID: 36320345 PMCID: PMC9595448 DOI: 10.35946/arcr.v42.1.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
This article is part of a Festschrift commemorating the 50th anniversary of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Established in 1970, first as part of the National Institute of Mental Health and later as an independent institute of the National Institutes of Health, NIAAA today is the world's largest funding agency for alcohol research. In addition to its own intramural research program, NIAAA supports the entire spectrum of innovative basic, translational, and clinical research to advance the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of alcohol use disorder and alcohol-related problems. To celebrate the anniversary, NIAAA hosted a 2-day symposium, "Alcohol Across the Lifespan: 50 Years of Evidence-Based Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment Research," devoted to key topics within the field of alcohol research. This article is based on Dr. Mason's presentation at the event. NIAAA Director George F. Koob, Ph.D., serves as editor of the Festschrift.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara J Mason
- Pearson Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
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31
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Fischler PV, Soyka M, Seifritz E, Mutschler J. Off-label and investigational drugs in the treatment of alcohol use disorder: A critical review. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:927703. [PMID: 36263121 PMCID: PMC9574013 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.927703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Compounds known to be successful in the treatment of alcohol use disorder include the aversive agent, Disulfiram, the glutamatergic NMDA receptor antagonist, Acamprosate, and the opioid receptor antagonists, Naltrexone and Nalmefene. Although all four are effective in maintaining abstinence or reduction of alcohol consumption, only a small percentage of patients receive pharmacological treatment. In addition, many other medications have been investigated for their therapeutic potential in the treatment of alcohol use disorder. In this review we summarize and compare Baclofen, Gabapentin, Topiramate, Ondansetron, Varenicline, Aripiprazole, Quetiapine, Clozapine, Antidepressants, Lithium, Neuropeptide Y, Neuropeptide S, Corticotropin-releasing factor antagonists, Oxytocin, PF-05190457, Memantine, Ifenprodil, Samidorphan, Ondelopran, ABT-436, SSR149415, Mifepristone, Ibudilast, Citicoline, Rimonabant, Surinabant, AM4113 and Gamma-hydroxybutyrate While some have shown promising results in the treatment of alcohol use disorder, others have disappointed and should be excluded from further investigation. Here we discuss the most promising results and highlight medications that deserve further preclinical or clinical study. Effective, patient-tailored treatment will require greater understanding provided by many more preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Valentin Fischler
- Department for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Women’s Clinic Lucerne, Cantonal Hospital of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Pascal Valentin Fischler,
| | - Michael Soyka
- Psychiatric Hospital University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Erich Seifritz
- Director of the Clinic for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Clinic Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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32
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Novel biological insights into the common heritable liability to substance involvement: a multivariate genome-wide association study. Biol Psychiatry 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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van Amsterdam J, van den Brink W. Smoking As an Outcome Moderator In the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorders. Alcohol Alcohol 2022; 57:664-673. [PMID: 35589093 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agac027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS To clarify whether smoking interferes with successful treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD). METHODS The current systematic review investigates the potential moderating effect of smoking on behavioural and pharmacological treatment of AUD. In addition, this review summarizes the results of randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of smoking cessation treatments in subjects with AUD on drinking outcomes. RESULTS Overall, the results show that 16 out of the 31 pharmacological and psychotherapeutic alcohol treatment studies showed that being a non-smoker or decreased tobacco consumption during AUD treatment is associated with beneficial drinking outcomes, including reduced drinking, later relapse and prolonged alcohol abstinence. As such, smoking predicts poorer drinking outcomes in alcohol treatments. In the stop-smoking studies in patients with AUD, reduced smoking had virtually no effect on drinking behaviours. The inverse association between smoking and drinking outcome observed here indicates that non-smokers may be more successful to attain alcohol abstinence than smokers do. However, this association does not imply per se that smoking triggers alcohol consumption, since it can also mean that alcohol consumption promotes smoking. CONCLUSIONS It is concluded that (continued) tobacco smoking may have a negative moderating effect on the treatment outcome of AUD treatments. To optimize treatment outcome of AUD one may consider informing and counselling patients with AUD about the risks of smoking for treatment outcomes and offering support for smoking cessation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan van Amsterdam
- Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wim van den Brink
- Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Louvet A, Labreuche J, Moreno C, Vanlemmens C, Moirand R, Féray C, Dumortier J, Pageaux GP, Bureau C, Chermak F, Duvoux C, Thabut D, Leroy V, Carbonell N, Rolland B, Salamé E, Anty R, Gournay J, Delwaide J, Silvain C, Lucidi V, Lassailly G, Dharancy S, Nguyen-Khac E, Samuel D, Duhamel A, Mathurin P, Berthot C, Claudet S, Doussot A, Gérardin C, Muel E, Hiriart JB, Degré D, Gustot T, Bonadona A, Bordy L, Hilleret MN, Detry O, Honoré P, Meurisse N, Boleslawski E, Deplanque D, El Amrani M, Lebuffe G, Millet G, Soret D, Truant S, Erard-Poinsot D, Radenne S, Faure S, Gelsi E, Truchi R, Rudler M, Rouleau L, Brenner A, Larrue H, Péron JM, Robic MA, Antonini T, Duclos-Vallée JC. Early liver transplantation for severe alcohol-related hepatitis not responding to medical treatment: a prospective controlled study. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 7:416-425. [DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(21)00430-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Lynch KG, Plebani J, Spratt K, Morales M, Tamminga M, Feibush P, Kampman KM. Varenicline for the Treatment of Cocaine Dependence. J Addict Med 2022; 16:157-163. [PMID: 33840773 PMCID: PMC8497642 DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Varenicline is a partial agonist at the α2β4 and α6β2 nAChR receptors and a full agonist at α7 receptors. Both α7 and α6β2 receptors are implicated in the neural reward circuitry activated by cocaine use. A preliminary clinical trial suggested that varenicline treatment reduced cocaine use. This trial was intended to replicate and extend the findings of the previous trial. METHODS This was a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 156 subjects with DSM IV cocaine dependence. Subjects received up to 2 mg of varenicline or identical placebo daily along with weekly relapse prevention psychotherapy. The primary outcome measure was cocaine use measured by thrice-weekly urine drug screens. Additional outcome measures included end of study cocaine abstinence, cocaine craving, cocaine withdrawal symptom severity, cigarette use, and global improvement measure by the Clinical Global Improvement Scale. RESULTS End of study cocaine abstinence, measured by urine drug screens during the last 3 weeks of the trial, was not different between groups (8% in the varenicline treated subjects and versus 9% in placebo-treated subjects). Generalized estimating equations analysis of urine drug screen results showed no significant difference between groups in cocaine abstinence over the 12 weeks of the trial. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in cocaine craving or cocaine withdrawal symptom severity. Varenicline was well-tolerated. There were no medication-associated serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS Varenicline plus cognitive-behavioral therapy does not seem to be an efficacious treatment for cocaine dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin G. Lynch
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3900 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 19104
| | - Jennifer Plebani
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3900 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 19104
| | - Kelly Spratt
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 19104
| | - Mark Morales
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3900 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 19104
| | - Mila Tamminga
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3900 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 19104
| | - Philip Feibush
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3900 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 19104
| | - Kyle M. Kampman
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3900 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 19104
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Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a highly prevalent but severely under-treated disorder, with only three widely-approved pharmacotherapies. Given that AUD is a very heterogeneous disorder, it is unlikely that one single medication will be effective for all individuals with an AUD. As such, there is a need to develop new, more effective, and diverse pharmacological treatment options for AUD with the hopes of increasing utilization and improving care. In this qualitative literature review, we discuss the efficacy, mechanism of action, and tolerability of approved, repurposed, and novel pharmacotherapies for the treatment of AUD with a clinical perspective. Pharmacotherapies discussed include: disulfiram, acamprosate, naltrexone, nalmefene, topiramate, gabapentin, varenicline, baclofen, sodium oxybate, aripiprazole, ondansetron, mifepristone, ibudilast, suvorexant, prazosin, doxazosin, N-acetylcysteine, GET73, ASP8062, ABT-436, PF-5190457, and cannabidiol. Overall, many repurposed and novel agents discussed in this review demonstrate clinical effectiveness and promise for the future of AUD treatment. Importantly, these medications also offer potential improvements towards the advancement of precision medicine and personalized treatment for the heterogeneous AUD population. However, there remains a great need to improve access to treatment, increase the menu of approved pharmacological treatments, and de-stigmatize and increase treatment-seeking for AUD.
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Ghin F, Beste C, Stock AK. Neurobiological mechanisms of control in alcohol use disorder - moving towards mechanism-based non-invasive brain stimulation treatments. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 133:104508. [PMID: 34942268 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.12.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is characterized by excessive habitual drinking and loss of control over alcohol intake despite negative consequences. Both of these aspects foster uncontrolled drinking and high relapse rates in AUD patients. Yet, common interventions mostly focus on the phenomenological level, and prioritize the reduction of craving and withdrawal symptoms. Our review provides a mechanistic understanding of AUD and suggests alternative therapeutic approaches targeting the mechanisms underlying dysfunctional alcohol-related behaviours. Specifically, we explain how repeated drinking fosters the development of rigid drinking habits and is associated with diminished cognitive control. These behavioural and cognitive effects are then functionally related to the neurobiochemical effects of alcohol abuse. We further explain how alterations in fronto-striatal network activity may constitute the neurobiological correlates of these alcohol-related dysfunctions. Finally, we discuss limitations in current pharmacological AUD therapies and suggest non-invasive brain stimulation (like TMS and tDCS interventions) as a potential addition/alternative for modulating the activation of both cortical and subcortical areas to help re-establish the functional balance between controlled and automatic behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Ghin
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany; University Neuropsychology Center, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Beste
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany; University Neuropsychology Center, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Stock
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany; University Neuropsychology Center, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany; Biopsychology, Faculty of Psychology, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
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McRae-Clark AL, Gray KM, Baker NL, Sherman BJ, Squeglia L, Sahlem GL, Wagner A, Tomko R. Varenicline as a treatment for cannabis use disorder: A placebo-controlled pilot trial. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 229:109111. [PMID: 34655945 PMCID: PMC8665036 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An efficacious pharmacotherapy for cannabis use disorder (CUD) has yet to be established. This study preliminarily evaluated the safety and efficacy of varenicline for CUD in a proof-of-concept clinical trial. METHODS Participants in this 6-week randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial received either varenicline (n = 35) or placebo (n = 37), added to a brief motivational enhancement therapy intervention. Outcomes included cannabis withdrawal, cannabis abstinence, urine cannabinoid levels, percent cannabis use days, and cannabis sessions per day. RESULTS Both treatment groups noted significant decreases in self-reported cannabis withdrawal, percentage of days used, and use sessions per day during treatment compared to baseline. While this pilot trial was not powered to detect statistically significant between-group differences, participants randomized to varenicline evidenced numerically greater rates of self-reported abstinence at the final study visit [Week 6 intent-to-treat (ITT): Varenicline: 17.1% vs. Placebo: 5.4%; RR = 3.2 (95% CI: 0.7,14.7)]. End-of-treatment urine creatinine corrected cannabinoid levels were numerically lower in the varenicline group and higher in the placebo group compared to baseline [Change from baseline: Varenicline -1.7 ng/mg (95% CI: -4.1,0.8) vs. Placebo: 1.9 ng/mg (95% CI: -0.4,4.3); Δ = 3.5 (95% CI: 0.1,6.9)]. Adverse events related to study treatment did not reveal new safety signals. CONCLUSIONS Findings support the feasibility of conducting clinical trials of varenicline as a candidate pharmacotherapy for CUD, and indicate that a full-scale efficacy trial, powered based on effect sizes and variability yielded in this study, is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee L. McRae-Clark
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC,Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC
| | - Kevin M. Gray
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Nathaniel L. Baker
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Brian J. Sherman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Lindsay Squeglia
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | | | - Amanda Wagner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Rachel Tomko
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
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The effect of varenicline on smoking and drinking outcomes among Black and White adults with alcohol use disorder and co-occurring cigarette smoking: A secondary analysis of two clinical trials. Addict Behav 2021; 122:106970. [PMID: 34216871 PMCID: PMC9426655 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.106970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Varenicline is an FDA-approved medication for smoking cessation and has demonstrated promise in reducing alcohol use. This study sought to compare the efficacy of varenicline in reducing smoking and drinking among Black and White people seeking alcohol treatment. METHODS Linear mixed modeling was conducted using data from two multi-site placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials examining the effects of varenicline for treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD; O'Malley et al., 2018; Litten et al., 2013) among Black and White adults with AUD and co-occurring cigarette smoking. The primary analyses were conducted in a sample of 117 adults (O'Malley trial: 29.1% female, 55.2% Black), and replicated in an independent sample of 73 adults (Litten trial: 23.3% female, 45.2% Black). RESULTS Black participants smoked fewer cigarettes per day compared to White participants (O'Malley trial: F1,116 = 8.95, p = .003; Litten trial: F1,68.9 = 4.74p = .03). Linear mixed models revealed a marginal effect of varenicline on reducing cigarettes smoked per day regardless of race in the O'Malley trial (F1,109 = 3.34, p = .07), which was replicated in the Litten trial (F1,67.1 = 20.77p < .0001). Participants reduced the number of drinks consumed regardless of treatment condition or race in both trials (O'Malley trial: F1,98 = 131.69, p < .0001; Litten trial:F1,69 = 60.36, p < .0001). CONCLUSIONS Our adjusted model findings suggest varenicline reduced smoking among Black and White people with AUD and co-occurring cigarette smoking. However, these findings should be replicated in a larger sample.
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Thomas KH, Dalili MN, López-López JA, Keeney E, Phillippo D, Munafò MR, Stevenson M, Caldwell DM, Welton NJ. Smoking cessation medicines and e-cigarettes: a systematic review, network meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis. Health Technol Assess 2021; 25:1-224. [PMID: 34668482 DOI: 10.3310/hta25590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cigarette smoking is one of the leading causes of early death. Varenicline [Champix (UK), Pfizer Europe MA EEIG, Brussels, Belgium; or Chantix (USA), Pfizer Inc., Mission, KS, USA], bupropion (Zyban; GlaxoSmithKline, Brentford, UK) and nicotine replacement therapy are licensed aids for quitting smoking in the UK. Although not licensed, e-cigarettes may also be used in English smoking cessation services. Concerns have been raised about the safety of these medicines and e-cigarettes. OBJECTIVES To determine the clinical effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of smoking cessation medicines and e-cigarettes. DESIGN Systematic reviews, network meta-analyses and cost-effectiveness analysis informed by the network meta-analysis results. SETTING Primary care practices, hospitals, clinics, universities, workplaces, nursing or residential homes. PARTICIPANTS Smokers aged ≥ 18 years of all ethnicities using UK-licensed smoking cessation therapies and/or e-cigarettes. INTERVENTIONS Varenicline, bupropion and nicotine replacement therapy as monotherapies and in combination treatments at standard, low or high dose, combination nicotine replacement therapy and e-cigarette monotherapies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Effectiveness - continuous or sustained abstinence. Safety - serious adverse events, major adverse cardiovascular events and major adverse neuropsychiatric events. DATA SOURCES Ten databases, reference lists of relevant research articles and previous reviews. Searches were performed from inception until 16 March 2017 and updated on 19 February 2019. REVIEW METHODS Three reviewers screened the search results. Data were extracted and risk of bias was assessed by one reviewer and checked by the other reviewers. Network meta-analyses were conducted for effectiveness and safety outcomes. Cost-effectiveness was evaluated using an amended version of the Benefits of Smoking Cessation on Outcomes model. RESULTS Most monotherapies and combination treatments were more effective than placebo at achieving sustained abstinence. Varenicline standard plus nicotine replacement therapy standard (odds ratio 5.75, 95% credible interval 2.27 to 14.90) was ranked first for sustained abstinence, followed by e-cigarette low (odds ratio 3.22, 95% credible interval 0.97 to 12.60), although these estimates have high uncertainty. We found effect modification for counselling and dependence, with a higher proportion of smokers who received counselling achieving sustained abstinence than those who did not receive counselling, and higher odds of sustained abstinence among participants with higher average dependence scores. We found that bupropion standard increased odds of serious adverse events compared with placebo (odds ratio 1.27, 95% credible interval 1.04 to 1.58). There were no differences between interventions in terms of major adverse cardiovascular events. There was evidence of increased odds of major adverse neuropsychiatric events for smokers randomised to varenicline standard compared with those randomised to bupropion standard (odds ratio 1.43, 95% credible interval 1.02 to 2.09). There was a high level of uncertainty about the most cost-effective intervention, although all were cost-effective compared with nicotine replacement therapy low at the £20,000 per quality-adjusted life-year threshold. E-cigarette low appeared to be most cost-effective in the base case, followed by varenicline standard plus nicotine replacement therapy standard. When the impact of major adverse neuropsychiatric events was excluded, varenicline standard plus nicotine replacement therapy standard was most cost-effective, followed by varenicline low plus nicotine replacement therapy standard. When limited to licensed interventions in the UK, nicotine replacement therapy standard was most cost-effective, followed by varenicline standard. LIMITATIONS Comparisons between active interventions were informed almost exclusively by indirect evidence. Findings were imprecise because of the small numbers of adverse events identified. CONCLUSIONS Combined therapies of medicines are among the most clinically effective, safe and cost-effective treatment options for smokers. Although the combined therapy of nicotine replacement therapy and varenicline at standard doses was the most effective treatment, this is currently unlicensed for use in the UK. FUTURE WORK Researchers should examine the use of these treatments alongside counselling and continue investigating the long-term effectiveness and safety of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation compared with active interventions such as nicotine replacement therapy. STUDY REGISTRATION This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42016041302. FUNDING This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 25, No. 59. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyla H Thomas
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Michael N Dalili
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - José A López-López
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Edna Keeney
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - David Phillippo
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Marcus R Munafò
- Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,UK Centre for Tobacco and Alcohol Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Matt Stevenson
- Health Economics and Decision Science, School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Deborah M Caldwell
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Nicky J Welton
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Chichetto NE, Kundu S, Freiberg MS, Koethe JR, Butt AA, Crystal S, So-Armah KA, Cook RL, Braithwaite RS, Justice AC, Fiellin DA, Khan M, Bryant KJ, Gaither JR, Barve SS, Crothers K, Bedimo RJ, Warner A, Tindle HA. Association of Syndemic Unhealthy Alcohol Use, Smoking, and Depressive Symptoms on Incident Cardiovascular Disease among Veterans With and Without HIV-Infection. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:2852-2862. [PMID: 34101074 PMCID: PMC8376776 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03327-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Unhealthy alcohol use, smoking, and depressive symptoms are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Little is known about their co-occurrence - termed a syndemic, defined as the synergistic effect of two or more conditions-on CVD risk in people with HIV (PWH). We used data from 5621 CVD-free participants (51% PWH) in the Veteran's Aging Cohort Study-8, a prospective, observational study of veterans followed from 2002 to 2014 to assess the association between this syndemic and incident CVD by HIV status. Diagnostic codes identified cases of CVD (acute myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, and coronary revascularization). Validated measures of alcohol use, smoking, and depressive symptoms were used. Baseline number of syndemic conditions was categorized (0, 1, ≥ 2 conditions). Multivariable Cox Proportional Hazards regressions estimated risk of the syndemic (≥ 2 conditions) on incident CVD by HIV-status. There were 1149 cases of incident CVD (52% PWH) during the follow-up (median 10.1 years). Of the total sample, 64% met our syndemic definition. The syndemic was associated with greater risk for incident CVD among PWH (Hazard Ratio [HR] 1.87 [1.47-2.38], p < 0.001) and HIV-negative veterans (HR 1.70 [1.35-2.13], p < 0.001), compared to HIV-negative with zero conditions. Among those with the syndemic, CVD risk was not statistically significantly higher among PWH vs. HIV-negative (HR 1.10 [0.89, 1.37], p = .38). Given the high prevalence of this syndemic combined with excess risk of CVD, these findings support linked-screening and treatment efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie E Chichetto
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2525 West End Avenue, Office 315, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA.
| | - Suman Kundu
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2525 West End Avenue, Office 315, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA
| | - Matthew S Freiberg
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2525 West End Avenue, Office 315, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Centers (GRECC), Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - John R Koethe
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2525 West End Avenue, Office 315, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA
| | - Adeel A Butt
- VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill-Cornell Medical College, Doha, USA
- Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Stephen Crystal
- Health Care Policy, and Aging Research and School of Social Work, Institute for Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Kaku A So-Armah
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert L Cook
- Department of Epidemiology, Colleges of Public Health and Health Professions and Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - R Scott Braithwaite
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amy C Justice
- Schools of Medicine and Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - David A Fiellin
- Schools of Medicine and Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Maria Khan
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kendall J Bryant
- National Institute On Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Julie R Gaither
- Schools of Medicine and Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Shirish S Barve
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | | | - Roger J Bedimo
- Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care System and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Alberta Warner
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CT, USA
| | - Hilary A Tindle
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2525 West End Avenue, Office 315, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Centers (GRECC), Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, TN, USA
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Donato S, Green R, Ray LA. Alcohol use disorder severity moderates clinical response to varenicline. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2021; 45:1877-1887. [PMID: 34486130 PMCID: PMC9059653 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In a multisite clinical trial, varenicline was effective in reducing drinking in both smoking and non-smoking patients with alcohol dependence. Because alcohol use disorder (AUD) is heterogeneous, research aimed at characterizing features associated with treatment response could advance personalized pharmacotherapy. The current study examined the utility of a multidimensional assessment of AUD severity to identify responders to varenicline treatment. METHODS The study utilized data from a 13-week, Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multisite trial of varenicline in 200 alcohol-dependent patients. Four hypothesized measures of AUD severity (i.e., DSM-IV criterion count, withdrawal, craving, and alcohol-related consequences) were combined into a single severity factor. A series of multilevel models that included the severity factor were conducted to examine its effects on treatment outcomes. RESULTS All hypothesized indices of AUD severity loaded significantly onto a singular severity factor. Among low-severity groups, varenicline treatment significantly reduced drinking (i.e., percent heavy drinking days, drinks per day, and drinks per drinking day) and, in the lowest severity group, it improved the mental health component of quality of life more than placebo. The most severe group showed no differences between the varenicline and placebo groups on drinking or quality of life measures. CONCLUSIONS Treatment response to varenicline may be greater among individuals with less-severe AUD, as evidenced by both reductions in drinking outcomes and improvements in psychosocial functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanna Donato
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - ReJoyce Green
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Lara A. Ray
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
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Ray LA, Green R, Enders C, Leventhal AM, Grodin EN, Li G, Lim A, Hartwell E, Venegas A, Meredith L, Nieto SJ, Shoptaw S, Ho D, Miotto K. Efficacy of Combining Varenicline and Naltrexone for Smoking Cessation and Drinking Reduction: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Am J Psychiatry 2021; 178:818-828. [PMID: 34080890 PMCID: PMC8999864 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.20070993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pharmacological treatments that can concomitantly address cigarette smoking and heavy drinking stand to improve health care delivery for these highly prevalent co-occurring conditions. This superiority trial compared the combination of varenicline and naltrexone against varenicline alone for smoking cessation and drinking reduction among heavy-drinking smokers. METHODS This was a phase 2 randomized double-blind clinical trial. Participants (N=165) who were daily smokers and drank heavily received either 2 mg/day of varenicline plus 50 mg/day of naltrexone or 2 mg/day of varenicline plus matched placebo pills for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes were 7-day point prevalence of nicotine abstinence (bioverified by a breath CO reading ≤5 ppm) at the 26-week follow-up and number of drinks per drinking day during the 12-week treatment phase. RESULTS Smoking abstinence at week 26 was significantly higher in the varenicline plus placebo condition than in the varenicline plus naltrexone condition (N=37 [45.1%] compared with N=22 [26.5%]). For drinks per drinking day, there was a medication effect favoring the combination of varenicline and naltrexone over varenicline alone across the 12-week treatment phase, although it did not meet the significance threshold. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that smoking cessation and drinking reduction can be concomitantly targeted with pharmacotherapy and that while varenicline alone may be sufficient as a smoking cessation aid in heavy-drinking smokers, the combination of varenicline and naltrexone may confer benefits with regard to drinking outcomes, particularly during the 12-week period of active medication treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara A. Ray
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - ReJoyce Green
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Craig Enders
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Adam M. Leventhal
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Erica N. Grodin
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Biostatistics, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Aaron Lim
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Emily Hartwell
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Alex Venegas
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Lindsay Meredith
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Steven J. Nieto
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Steven Shoptaw
- Department of Family Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Diana Ho
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Karen Miotto
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
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Grodin EN, Burnette EM, Green R, Lim AC, Miotto K, Ray LA. Combined varenicline and naltrexone attenuates alcohol cue-elicited activation in heavy drinking smokers. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 225:108825. [PMID: 34175784 PMCID: PMC9059649 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a strong bidirectional relationship between the use of alcohol and cigarettes which results in various challenges for treating those who co-use both substances. While varenicline and naltrexone each have FDA-approval for nicotine and alcohol use disorder, respectively, there is evidence that their clinical benefit may extend across the two disorders. Critically, the effect of combined varenicline and naltrexone on neural reactivity to alcohol cues among heavy drinking smokers has not yet been studied. Probing the effect of the combination therapy on alcohol cue-reactivity may give insight to the mechanisms underlying its efficacy. METHODS Forty-seven heavy drinking smokers enrolled in two medication studies were randomized to receive varenicline alone (n = 11), varenicline plus naltrexone (n = 11), or placebo (n = 25). Participants completed an fMRI alcohol cue-reactivity task and rated their in-scanner alcohol craving. Whole-brain analyses examined the effect of medication on alcohol cue-elicited neural response. RESULTS Varenicline plus naltrexone attenuated alcohol cue-elicited activation in mesolimbic regions relative to varenicline alone and to placebo (Z > 2.3, p < 0.05). The combination varenicline and naltrexone group also endorsed lower in-scanner alcohol craving relative to varenicline alone group (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS These findings provide evidence for the benefit of combined therapy of varenicline and naltrexone over varenicline alone for the attenuation of alcohol cue-elicited neural activation. This study provides a preliminary proof-of-mechanism for this combination pharmacotherapy and suggests that naltrexone may be driving the reductions in cue-elicited alcohol craving in the brain. Further clinical studies using the combined therapy to treat heavy drinking smokers are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica N. Grodin
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Elizabeth M. Burnette
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States,Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - ReJoyce Green
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Aaron C. Lim
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Karen Miotto
- Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Lara A. Ray
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States,Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States,Corresponding author at: University of California, Los Angeles, Psychology Department, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1563, United States. (L.A. Ray)
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45
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Loftén A, Adermark L, Ericson M, Söderpalm B. An acetylcholine-dopamine interaction in the nucleus accumbens and its involvement in ethanol's dopamine-releasing effect. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e12959. [PMID: 32789970 PMCID: PMC8244087 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder is a chronic, relapsing brain disorder causing substantial morbidity and mortality. Cholinergic interneurons (CIN) within the nucleus accumbens (nAc) have been suggested to exert a regulatory impact on dopamine (DA) neurotransmission locally, and defects in CIN have been implied in several psychiatric disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of CIN in regulation of basal extracellular levels of DA and in modulation of nAc DA release following ethanol administration locally within the nAc of male Wistar rats. Using reversed in vivo microdialysis, the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine was administered locally in the nAc followed by addition of either the muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor antagonist scopolamine or the nicotinic ACh receptor antagonist mecamylamine. Further, ethanol was locally perfused in the nAc following pretreatment with scopolamine and/or mecamylamine. Lastly, ethanol was administered locally into the nAc of animals with accumbal CIN‐ablation induced by anticholine acetyl transferase‐saporin. Physostigmine increased accumbal DA levels via activation of muscarinic ACh receptors. Neither scopolamine and/or mecamylamine nor CIN‐ablation altered basal DA levels, suggesting that extracellular DA levels are not tonically controlled by ACh in the nAc. In contrast, ethanol‐induced DA elevation was prevented following coadministration of scopolamine and mecamylamine and blunted in CIN‐ablated animals, suggesting involvement of CIN‐ACh in ethanol‐mediated DA signaling. The data presented in this study suggest that basal extracellular levels of DA within the nAc are not sustained by ACh, whereas accumbal CIN‐ACh is involved in mediating ethanol‐induced DA release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Loftén
- Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg Gothenburg Sweden
- Beroendekliniken Sahlgrenska University Hospital Gothenburg Sweden
| | - Louise Adermark
- Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg Gothenburg Sweden
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg Gothenburg Sweden
| | - Mia Ericson
- Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg Gothenburg Sweden
| | - Bo Söderpalm
- Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg Gothenburg Sweden
- Beroendekliniken Sahlgrenska University Hospital Gothenburg Sweden
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46
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara J Mason
- Pearson Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, Calif
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47
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Morley KC, Perry CJ, Watt J, Hurzeler T, Leggio L, Lawrence AJ, Haber P. New approved and emerging pharmacological approaches to alcohol use disorder: a review of clinical studies. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2021; 22:1291-1303. [PMID: 33615945 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2021.1892641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
introduction: The number of medications approved for AUD is small and they generally have limited efficacy. We need new pharmacotherapies for the management of AUD.Areas covered: In this review, the authors aim to synthesise literature for new approved and emerging pharmacotherapies for AUD. Recently approved medications include nalmefene, which was approved in Europe and Australia for the purposes of controlled drinking. Baclofen has also been approved in France but not in other countries. Off label medications including topiramate and gabapentin have received significant attention with multiple RCTs and meta-analyses and have widespread use in several countries including the USA. Several novel medications have emerged over the last decade but further work is required to determine their efficacy and safety for the widespread management of AUD.Expert opinion: Despite significant advances in our understanding of the neurobiological basis of factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of AUD, there have been few new AUD medications approved for almost 20 years. There are many challenges to the development and introduction of new pharmacotherapies for AUD. Strategies for improving the translational pipeline include drug repurposing and utilisation of human acute laboratory models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten C Morley
- Central Clinical School, Sydney School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Edith Collins Centre (Alcohol, Drugs and Toxicology), Sydney Local Health District, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Christina J Perry
- University of Melbourne, Mental Health Theme, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia
| | - Joshua Watt
- Edith Collins Centre (Alcohol, Drugs and Toxicology), Sydney Local Health District, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Tristan Hurzeler
- Central Clinical School, Sydney School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lorenzo Leggio
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore and Bethesda, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, USA.,Medication Development Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Andrew J Lawrence
- University of Melbourne, Mental Health Theme, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia.,Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, USA
| | - Paul Haber
- Central Clinical School, Sydney School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Edith Collins Centre (Alcohol, Drugs and Toxicology), Sydney Local Health District, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.,Division of Addiction Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA
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48
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Touchette JC, Moen JK, Robinson JM, Lee AM. Enhancement of alcohol aversion by the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor drug sazetidine-A. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e12908. [PMID: 32329567 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) has steadily increased in the United States over the last 30 years. Alcohol acts on multiple receptor systems including the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), which are known to mediate alcohol consumption and reward. We previously reported that the preclinical drug sazetidine-A, a nAChR agonist and desensitizer, reduces alcohol consumption without affecting nicotine consumption in C57BL/6J mice. Here, we found that sazetidine-A enhances the expression of alcohol aversion without affecting the expression or acquisition of conditioned alcohol reward in C57BL/6J mice. Microinjection of sazetidine-A into the ventral midbrain targeting the ventral tegmental area (VTA) reduced binge alcohol consumption, implicating this region in mediating the effects of sazetidine-A. Furthermore, the sazetidine-A-induced reduction in alcohol consumption was mediated by non-α4 containing nAChRs, as sazetidine-A reduced binge alcohol consumption in both α4 knock-out and wild-type mice. Finally, we found that in mice pretreated with sazetidine-A, alcohol induced Fos transcript in Th-, but not Gad2-expressing neurons in the VTA as measured by increased Fos transcript expression. In summary, we find that sazetidine-A enhances the expression of alcohol aversion, which may underlie the reduction in alcohol consumption induced by sazetidine-A. Elucidating the identity of non-α4 nAChRs in alcohol aversion mechanisms will provide a better understanding the complex role of nAChRs in alcohol addiction and potentially reveal novel drug targets to treat AUDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Janna K. Moen
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
| | - Jenna M. Robinson
- Department of Pharmacology University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
| | - Anna M. Lee
- Department of Pharmacology University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
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49
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Drug addiction co-morbidity with alcohol: Neurobiological insights. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2021; 157:409-472. [PMID: 33648675 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2020.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Addiction is a chronic disorder that consists of a three-stage cycle of binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, and preoccupation/anticipation. These stages involve, respectively, neuroadaptations in brain circuits involved in incentive salience and habit formation, stress surfeit and reward deficit, and executive function. Much research on addiction focuses on the neurobiology underlying single drug use. However, alcohol use disorder (AUD) can be co-morbid with substance use disorder (SUD), called dual dependence. The limited epidemiological data on dual dependence indicates that there is a large population of individuals suffering from addiction who are dependent on more than one drug and/or alcohol, yet dual dependence remains understudied in addiction research. Here, we review neurobiological data on neurotransmitter and neuropeptide systems that are known to contribute to addiction pathology and how the involvement of these systems is consistent or divergent across drug classes. In particular, we highlight the dopamine, opioid, corticotropin-releasing factor, norepinephrine, hypocretin/orexin, glucocorticoid, neuroimmune signaling, endocannabinoid, glutamate, and GABA systems. We also discuss the limited research on these systems in dual dependence. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that the use of multiple drugs can produce neuroadaptations that are distinct from single drug use. Further investigation into the neurobiology of dual dependence is necessary to develop effective treatments for addiction to multiple drugs.
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50
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Abstract
Bislang sind nur wenige Medikamente zur pharmakologischen Rückfallprophylaxe der Alkoholabhängigkeit zugelassen. Neben dem in Deutschland nicht mehr vertriebenen Disulfiram sind es die Opioidantagonisten Naltrexon und Nalmefen sowie das vermutlich über glutamaterge Neurone wirkende Acamprosat. Baclofen und γ‑Hydroxybutyrat (GHB) sind in einzelnen Ländern zugelassen. Wirkstoffe wie z. B. Vareniclin, Gabapentin und Topiramat können für die Rückfallprophylaxe der Alkoholabhängigkeit von Interesse sein, jedoch ist bislang keine Zulassung erfolgt. Vor dem Hintergrund der zur Revision anstehenden S3-Leitlinie zur Diagnose und Behandlung alkoholbezogener Störungen wird der heutige Kenntnisstand zur Pharmakotherapie der Alkoholabhängigkeit dargestellt.
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