New Research Suggests Alcohol Dependence Can Be Reversed, Alcohol Addiction Can Be EradicatedAlcohol dependence can be reversed simply by switching off a part of the brain, a new study finds. The research found that turning off a brain switch can actually reversed alcohol dependence that can lead to liquor drinking without experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
The Scripps Research Institute study aims to reverse alcohol dependence among rats that were trained to be dependent on the substance. Rats were injected with a chemical Daun02 that will turn off or inactivate the brain cells affected by drinking known as amygdala. Results of the Experiment: The results revealed that compulsive drinking was stopped and alcohol addiction can be prevented after switching off the brain cells. Study researcher Olivier George, an assistant professor at the The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California claimed that the rats appeared to forget that they are dependent on alcohol. The symptom of shaking also disappeared. What’s more surprising is that the rats avoided alcohol for a couple of weeks. It proved that deactivating or turning off the amygdala can also stop alcohol cravings. On the other group of rats that are into binge drinking, the effect of turning off the neurons did not stop them from drinking alcohol the next day. The reaction indicates that brain of the rats (binge drinking) are not yet linked to rewards that’s why the other group continued drinking alcohol the next day. The first group of rats with alcohol dependence did not show any withdrawal symptoms such as shaking. It only stopped the cravings. Deactivation of Amygdala & Alcohol Dependence When drinking alcohol, the amygdala in human and rats is activated. The more alcohol, the more brain cells will be activated. The activation may lead to the point where rats will develop liquor drinking as the link between drinking and reward is reinforced. When this happens, the brain becomes dependent on alcohol and will be trained in getting more alcohol for more reward. The pattern can lead to alcohol addiction if the pattern will not be interrupted. The study is still in the early stages and researchers still need to do further experiments to know if deactivating amygdala in humans has the same effect. Part of the study is to discover the compound that will deactivate alcohol dependence in humans. The recent study will be seen as a huge breakthrough if it will be a success. It indicates that humans can reverse alcohol dependence, and they don’t need to develop an alcohol addiction anymore. Scientists are also looking forward to finding a cure to end the addiction to the substance. At present, alcohol dependence and addiction withdrawal symptoms are treated by the use of medications. Addiction specialist also provides therapies, support groups, counseling and administration of nutrition and vitamins. |
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