Alcoholism, like any type of addiction, does not have a specific "treatment formula". Therefore, there are many different methods, from psychological influence to taking medications. But very soon everything may change, because the first drug for alcohol dependence, which acts at the genetic level, has been successfully tested in the United States.
According to the editors of the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, a group of scientists from the University of Texas at Austin, while studying alcoholism, discovered a gene that is responsible for the development of addiction. Continuing the study, the experts concluded that suppression of the activity of this gene can lead to a decrease in cravings for alcohol and even a complete rejection of alcohol. As a result, the substance JVW-1034 was obtained. According to the authors of the work, “JVW-1034 is capable of blocking sigma receptors, which play a key role in addiction. With the introduction of JVW-1034 to rats and worms, we have achieved amazing results.”
During the experiments, the earthworms were "poured" into the soil with a high alcohol content. Then one group of worms was injected with a new drug. As a result, all individuals got rid of intoxication (in other words, from a hangover). The experiment on rats was more interesting: the rodents were given 10% alcohol to drink for several days until they developed alcohol dependence. After that, all the mice were injected with the drug. As it turned out, in 30% of mice, the craving for alcohol disappeared in the very first days, and after a full course of treatment, all laboratory animals got rid of alcoholism. Now scientists are planning the next phase of testing, but with human participation.
Vladimir Kuznetsov
