Role of the GABAB receptor system in alcoholism and stress: focus on clinical studies and treatment perspectives
Received 17 December 2008; received in revised form 6 May 2009; accepted 12 August 2009.
Abstract
Alcoholism and stress share some common neurobiological circuits, including the GABAergic system. In particular, the GABAB receptor seems to play an important role. The GABAB receptor agonist baclofen has been studied as a treatment for alcohol-dependent subjects. Baclofen administration in alcohol-dependent patients was able to promote abstinence, inducing the remission of withdrawal symptoms, reducing alcohol craving, and reducing alcohol intake. Baclofen also reduced anxiety in alcohol-dependent subjects, probably acting on brain stress circuitry and/or on other neuroendocrine systems. Baclofen also showed excellent safety and tolerability, even in alcohol-dependent patients with advanced liver disease (i.e., cirrhosis). Future studies should investigate which alcoholic subtype may better benefit of the administration of baclofen in the treatment of alcohol dependence.
This mini-review summarizes a presentation at the meeting “Alcohol and Stress: A Framework for Future Treatment Strategies.” Volterra, Italy. May 6–8, 2008. This meeting was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (AA017581). This mini-review was partly supported by the European Research Advisory Board (ERAB).
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