Quitting alcohol changes the brain and can increase the risk of compulsive drinking—new research in mice
For some, abstaining from alcohol can subsequently increase compulsive drinking. Our research team found that, in abstaining mice, this urge to drink is preceded by changes in the activity of a particular brain region, pointing to potential new screening opportunities to identify and help those most vulnerable to relapse. Our research is published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.
A new study in mice reveals that quitting alcohol can lead to changes in the brain, potentially increasing the risk of compulsive drinking. Researchers observed that mice that abstained from alcohol for a period developed a stronger urge to drink, even when the alcohol contained a bitter taste meant to deter consumption. These mice also drank larger quantities of the bitter alcohol compared to those who did not experience forced abstinence.
The study further found that the activity of a specific brain region, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), was higher in abstinent mice that developed a preference for the bitter alcohol. This activity was detected even before the mice were given access to the bitter alcohol, suggesting that detecting elevated BNST activity might help identify individuals at risk of relapsing into alcohol use disorder.
While the findings offer potential screening opportunities, the researchers caution that the exact role of the BNST in alcohol-related behaviors and its relevance to humans remain unclear. Further research is needed to explore the BNST's function in alcohol use disorder and its potential as a screening tool in clinical settings.
Written by urgent.news from Medical Xpress's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
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