Scientists explore potential new target in alcohol treatment

In research that is both painstaking and promising, chemists have identified an investigational compound that blocks receptors associated with alcohol-seeking behavior in rats. While testing of the compound in humans is a long way from being realized, this exploration of a new target in treatment adds to the hope of discovering alternatives to the three currently available medication treatments for alcohol dependence.

“The approved drugs have their own problems,” says Chunyang Jin, PhD, a research chemist at RTI (Research Triangle Institute) International, with engagement challenges due to medication side effects a primary concern.

In research published in the Journal of Medical Chemistry, Jin and colleagues discussed the discovery of a compound that activates the orphan receptor GPR88 in the striatum region of the brain. This receptor is implicated in alcohol-seeking and drinking behaviors.

The study found that administration of the compound in rats significantly reduced their drinking behavior. Importantly, the compound had no effect on the rats' locomotion or self-administration of sugar. This means the researchers were able to conclude that the reduction in drinking behavior that was seen in the study was not a result of a general decrease in the rodents' activity, they explained.

“These receptors are highly expressed in the reward system,” says Jin. “There is a lot of opportunity with this research; we are very excited.”

Jin points out that the research to this point has taken about five years, and scientists are a long way from testing this compound (which is being referred to as RTI-13951-33) in humans. Further study in animals will be needed to validate that the GPR88 receptor is a novel drug target for the treatment of alcohol dependence, Jin says.