Drug Blocks Alcohol Cravings
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Researchers at a leading brain research center in Australia have discovered a drug blocking the chemical in the brain linked to alcohol cravings.
In studies involving rats, scientists found they could block receptors of Orexin, the hormone associated with alcohol- and drug-induced highs. In one experiment rats ceased drinking freely available alcohol after receiving the Orexin-blocker. In other experiments, alcoholic rats who had undergone a detox period did not relapse into alcohol use after being reintroduced to environments associated with alcohol consumption. These results suggest the potential for Orexin-blocking drugs that could treat alcoholism in humans, researchers say: "We know that human drug addicts will relapse into drug-seeking, particularly if they experience a stressful circumstance or if they go back into an environment where they previously used drugs," researcher Dr Andrew Lawrence said. Read more: New hope for alcoholics SHARE:
Posted In: Alcoholism | Tags: Drug | Orexin Blocking | Rats | Posted by FindCounseling.com Staff on December 14, 2006 at 10:31 AM | Permalink |
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