nih-gov/www.niaaa.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/heart-medication-shows-potential-treatment-alcohol-use-disorder
2025-02-26 13:17:41 -05:00

1311 lines
49 KiB
Text
Raw Permalink Blame History

This file contains invisible Unicode characters

This file contains invisible Unicode characters that are indistinguishable to humans but may be processed differently by a computer. If you think that this is intentional, you can safely ignore this warning. Use the Escape button to reveal them.

This file contains Unicode characters that might be confused with other characters. If you think that this is intentional, you can safely ignore this warning. Use the Escape button to reveal them.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns#">
<head>
<!-- Google Tag Manager -->
<script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':
new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],
j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src=
'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);
})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-MP7S353');</script>
<!-- End Google Tag Manager -->
<meta charset="utf-8" />
<meta name="description" content="Image Scientists are working to develop a larger menu of pharmaceutical treatments for alcohol use disorder that could be tailored to individual needs." />
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/heart-medication-shows-potential-treatment-alcohol-use-disorder" />
<meta name="google-site-verification" content="D6PddlP4x_B-aaYH1GdtXWLMtqqDRm1KB76zwXU94r0" />
<meta name="Generator" content="Drupal 10 (https://www.drupal.org)" />
<meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" />
<meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" />
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
<meta http-equiv="x-ua-compatible" content="ie=edge" />
<link rel="icon" href="/sites/default/themes/solstice/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" />
<link rel="alternate" hreflang="en" href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/heart-medication-shows-potential-treatment-alcohol-use-disorder" />
<title>Heart medication shows potential as treatment for alcohol use disorder | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_KP3nLbdWwG_-sDM2-c143-4AW_mwvYnVCqvRApXdTzg.css?delta=0&amp;language=en&amp;theme=solstice&amp;include=eJxFyUEOgCAMAMEPoX1TgUIaCyW0Rvm9Hkw87qwtc2oQ0SiYijkngioaUTbzJdzr70W740WmjQLd_s4D8jwHyv5laJQZobA4zT3hcNb-AMcJJ04" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_284cOjFlGt6BbVNygt8wCcMAVOImI5Qo3eLcYPtTvXw.css?delta=1&amp;language=en&amp;theme=solstice&amp;include=eJxFyUEOgCAMAMEPoX1TgUIaCyW0Rvm9Hkw87qwtc2oQ0SiYijkngioaUTbzJdzr70W740WmjQLd_s4D8jwHyv5laJQZobA4zT3hcNb-AMcJJ04" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="print" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_Ki7WmdMheyToDR_iZ4-TUWAd6Z_Ji9D5oheAUfVPDGQ.css?delta=2&amp;language=en&amp;theme=solstice&amp;include=eJxFyUEOgCAMAMEPoX1TgUIaCyW0Rvm9Hkw87qwtc2oQ0SiYijkngioaUTbzJdzr70W740WmjQLd_s4D8jwHyv5laJQZobA4zT3hcNb-AMcJJ04" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_ZURahwWpOtPq2J3aEz1C3IyNMbNi6vxbJc3xYRtyniA.css?delta=3&amp;language=en&amp;theme=solstice&amp;include=eJxFyUEOgCAMAMEPoX1TgUIaCyW0Rvm9Hkw87qwtc2oQ0SiYijkngioaUTbzJdzr70W740WmjQLd_s4D8jwHyv5laJQZobA4zT3hcNb-AMcJJ04" />
</head>
<body class="page-node-13231 path-node page-node-type-news body">
<!-- Google Tag Manager (noscript) -->
<noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-MP7S353"
height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden" title="hhsgtmcontainer"></iframe></noscript>
<!-- End Google Tag Manager (noscript) -->
<a href="#main-content" class="visually-hidden focusable">
Skip to main content
</a>
<div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas>
<section class="usa-banner">
<section class="usa-banner" aria-label="Official website of the United States government">
<div class="usa-accordion">
<header class="usa-banner__header">
<div class="usa-banner__inner">
<div class="grid-col-auto">
<img aria-hidden="true" class="usa-banner__header-flag" src="/sites/default/themes/solstice/assets/uswds/img/us_flag_small.png" alt=""/>
</div>
<div class="grid-col-fill tablet:grid-col-auto" aria-hidden="true">
<p class="usa-banner__header-text">
An official website of the United States government
</p>
<p class="usa-banner__header-action">Heres how you know</p>
</div>
<button type="button" class="usa-accordion__button usa-banner__button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="gov-banner-default-default">
<span class="usa-banner__button-text">Heres how you know</span>
</button>
</div>
</header>
<div class="usa-banner__content usa-accordion__content" id="gov-banner-default-default" hidden>
<div class="grid-row grid-gap-lg">
<div class="usa-banner__guidance tablet:grid-col-6">
<img class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img" src="/sites/default/themes/solstice/assets/uswds/img/icon-dot-gov.svg" role="img" alt="" aria-hidden="true"/>
<div class="usa-media-block__body">
<p>
<strong>Official websites use .gov</strong><br/>A
<strong>.gov</strong>
website belongs to an official government
organization in the United States.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="usa-banner__guidance tablet:grid-col-6">
<img class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img" src="/sites/default/themes/solstice/assets/uswds/img/icon-https.svg" role="img" alt="" aria-hidden="true"/>
<div class="usa-media-block__body">
<p>
<strong>Secure .gov websites use HTTPS</strong><br/>A
<strong>lock</strong>
(
<span class="icon-lock">
<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="52" height="64" viewbox="0 0 52 64" class="usa-banner__lock-image" role="img" aria-labelledby="banner-lock-description-default" focusable="false">
<title id="banner-lock-title-default">Lock</title>
<desc id="banner-lock-description-default">Locked padlock icon</desc>
<path fill="#000000" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M26 0c10.493 0 19 8.507 19 19v9h3a4 4 0 0 1 4 4v28a4 4 0 0 1-4 4H4a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V32a4 4 0 0 1 4-4h3v-9C7 8.507 15.507 0 26 0zm0 8c-5.979 0-10.843 4.77-10.996 10.712L15 19v9h22v-9c0-6.075-4.925-11-11-11z"/>
</svg>
</span>) or
<strong>https://</strong>
means youve safely connected to
the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official,
secure websites.
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
</section>
<div class="usa-overlay" id="overlay" aria-hidden="true"></div>
<header class="usa-header usa-header--extended" id="header" role="banner">
<div class="region region-header usa-navbar">
<div class="usa-logo site-logo" id="logo">
<em class="usa-logo__text">
<a class="logo-img" href="/" accesskey="1" title="Home" aria-label="Home">
<img src="/sites/default/themes/solstice/niaaa-logo.png" alt="Home" />
</a>
</em>
</div>
<button class="usa-menu-btn" type="button">Menu</button>
</div>
<nav class="usa-nav" role="navigation">
<div class="usa-nav__inner">
<button type="button" class="usa-nav__close">
<img src="/sites/default/themes/solstice/assets/uswds/img/usa-icons/close.svg" alt="close"/>
</button>
<ul class="usa-nav__primary usa-accordion">
<li class="usa-nav__primary-item flex-fill">
<button class="usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-1">
<span>Alcohol&#039;s Effects on Health</span>
</button>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-1" class="usa-nav__submenu" hidden="" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/alcohols-effects-health" title="Alcohol&#039;s Effects on Health" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/5491">Alcohol&#039;s Effects on Health</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics-a-to-z" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/10109">Alcohol Topics</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/treatment-alcohol-problems-finding-and-getting-help" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/5011">Getting Help</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics/alcohol-facts-and-statistics" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/13706">Alcohol Facts and Statistics</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/niaaa-short-takes-video-series" class="link">NIAAA Short Takes Video Series</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-interventions-young-adults" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/12656">Alcohol Interventions for Young Adults</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/niaaa-publications-order-form" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/5266">Order Publications</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__primary-item flex-fill">
<button class="usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-2">
<span>Health Professionals &amp; Communities</span>
</button>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-2" class="usa-nav__submenu" hidden="" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/health-professionals-communities" title="Health Professionals &amp; Communities" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/5526">Health Professionals &amp; Communities</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/health-professionals-communities/native-air" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/15486">Native Communities: Alcohol Intervention Review (NativeAIR)</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/health-professionals-communities/core-resource-on-alcohol" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/12236">The Healthcare Professional&#039;s Core Resource on Alcohol</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="https://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/CollegeAIM/Default.aspx" class="link">Resources from the NIAAA College Task Force</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/health-professionals-communities/alcohol-interventions-young-adults-healthcare-professionals" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/12661">Alcohol Interventions for Young Adults</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/publications/clinical-guides-and-manuals/alcohol-screening-and-brief-intervention-youth" class="link">Alcohol Screening &amp; Brief Intervention for Youth</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/publications/surveillance-reports" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/12301">Surveillance Reports</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/health-professionals-communities#additional-reports" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/5526">Additional Reports and Resources</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__primary-item flex-fill">
<button class="usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-3">
<span>Research</span>
</button>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-3" class="usa-nav__submenu" hidden="" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/research" title="Research" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/83">Research</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/research/major-initiatives" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/112">Major Research Initiatives</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/extramural-research" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1115">Extramural Research Program</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/research/division-intramural-clinical-and-biological-research" class="link">Intramural Research Program</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/research/alcohol-research-resource-r24-and-r28-awards" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/3531">Alcohol Research Resource (R24) Awards</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/research/niaaa-sbir" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/5556">NIAAA SBIR/ STTR Program</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/research/data-archive-and-resources" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/15236">Data Archive and Resources</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__primary-item flex-fill">
<button class="usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-4">
<span>Research Training</span>
</button>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-4" class="usa-nav__submenu" hidden="" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/research-training-and-career-development" title="Research Training" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/3546">Research Training</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/research/research-training-and-career-development/training-opportunities-education-level" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/3556">Training Grants by Eligibility</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/research/research-training-and-career-development/training-opportunities-grant-mechanism" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/3561">Training Grants by Mechanism</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/training-resources" class="link">Research Training Programs</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/research-training-and-career-development/centers-and-training-working-group-roster" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/3551">Centers and Training Working Group Roster</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__primary-item flex-fill">
<button class="usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-5">
<span>Grants &amp; Funding</span>
</button>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-5" class="usa-nav__submenu" hidden="" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/grant-funding" title="Grants &amp; Funding" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/84">Grants &amp; Funding</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/application-process" class="link">How to Apply for a Grant</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/funding-opportunities" class="link">Funding Opportunities</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/grant-funding/management-reporting" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/166">Management &amp; Reporting</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__primary-item flex-fill">
<button class="usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-6">
<span>News &amp; Events</span>
</button>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-6" class="usa-nav__submenu" hidden="" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/news-events" title="News &amp; Events" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/47">News &amp; Events</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/news-events/news" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/5521">News</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/news-events/meetings-events-exhibits" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/5525">Events</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/news-events/press-room" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/636">Press Room</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/news-events/niaaa-social-media" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/11396">Social Media</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="https://www.spectrum.niaaa.nih.gov/" class="link">Spectrum</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__primary-item flex-fill">
<button class="usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-7">
<span>About NIAAA</span>
</button>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-7" class="usa-nav__submenu" hidden="" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/about-niaaa" title="About NIAAA" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/86">About NIAAA</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/advisory-council" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/181">NIAAA Advisory Council</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/about-niaaa/strategic-plan-fiscal-years-2024-2028" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/14961">Strategic Plan: Fiscal Years 20242028</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/our-work" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/176">Our Work</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/about-niaaa/our-funding" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/189">Our Funding</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/our-staff" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/190">Our Staff</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/about-niaaa/career-and-training-opportunities" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/191">Careers &amp; Training</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/about-niaaa/contact-us" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/201">Contact Us</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item">
<a href="/our-work/history-niaaa" class="link">History</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class='usa-nav__secondary top-search-bar'>
<ul class="usa-nav__secondary-links">
<li class="usa-nav__secondary-item">
<a href="/join-study" title="" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/153">Join a Clinical Study</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__secondary-item">
<a href="/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics/health-topics-treatment-alcohol-problems" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/13376">Getting Help</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__secondary-item">
<a href="/our-work/donations-niaaa" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/540">Donate</a>
</li>
</ul>
<form action="/search" method="get" id="views-exposed-form-acquia-search-page" accept-charset="UTF-8" class="usa-search usa-search--small" role="search">
<label class="usa-sr-only" for="extended-search-field-small">Search</label>
<input class="usa-input" id="extended-search-field-small" maxlength="128" type="search" name="search"/>
<button class="usa-button" type="submit">
<span class="usa-sr-only">Search</span>
<svg class="usa-icon" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" role="img">
<use xlink:href="/sites/default/themes/solstice/assets/uswds/img/sprite.svg#search"></use>
</svg>
</button>
</form>
</div>
</div>
</nav>
</header>
<div class="above-content">
<div>
<div class="page-banner">
<div class="l-inner">
<p class="h1 heading-1 text-reverse">News & Events</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="block-solstice-breadcrumbs">
<div class="breadcrumb-container">
<nav role="navigation" class="usa-breadcrumb usa-breadcrumb--wrap" aria-labelledby="system-breadcrumb">
<h2 id="system-breadcrumb" class="usa-sr-only">Breadcrumb</h2>
<ol class="usa-breadcrumb__list">
<li class="usa-breadcrumb__list-item">
<a href="/" class="usa-breadcrumb__link">Home</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-breadcrumb__list-item">
<a href="/news-events" class="usa-breadcrumb__link">News &amp; Events</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-breadcrumb__list-item">
<a href="/news-events/news-releases" class="usa-breadcrumb__link">News Releases</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-breadcrumb__list-item">
Heart medication shows potential as treatment for alcohol use disorder
</li>
</ol>
</nav>
</div>
</div>
<div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="usa-section">
<div class="main--container">
<div class="grid-row grid-gap">
<main class="main--content grid-col" id="main-content">
<div id="block-solstice-content">
<article>
<div class="content-river">
<div>
<h1>
<span>Heart medication shows potential as treatment for alcohol use disorder</span>
</h1>
<div class="news-type">News Release</div>
<p><time datetime="2022-09-20T12:00:00Z">Tuesday, September 20, 2022</time>
</p>
<div class="translation-link margin-btm-triple">
<a href="/news-events/news-releases/un-medicamento-para-el-corazon-muestra-su-potencial-como-tratamiento-para-el-trastorno-por-consumo">Spanish / En español</a>
</div>
<figure role="group" class="align-right">
<article class="media-image">
<div>
<div class="visually-hidden">Image</div>
<div> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/medium__350x350_/public/medication_stock_image.png?itok=siDzqujg" width="350" height="233" alt="Prescription bottle and hand with motion blur selective focus" loading="lazy">
</div>
</div>
</article>
<figcaption>Scientists are working to develop a larger menu of pharmaceutical treatments for alcohol use disorder that could be tailored to individual needs. <strong>Credit:</strong> Shutterstock.com</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A medication for heart problems and high blood pressure may also be effective for treating alcohol use disorder, according to a new study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health and their colleagues. The study presents converging evidence from experiments in mice and rats, as well as a cohort study in humans, suggesting that the medication, spironolactone, may play a role in reducing alcohol drinking. The research was led by scientists at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), both parts NIH, and Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut. A report of the new findings is published in <em>Molecular Psychiatry</em>.</p>
<p>“Combining findings across three species and different types of research studies, and then seeing similarities in those data, gives us confidence that we are onto something potentially important scientifically and clinically. These findings support further study of spironolactone as a potential treatment for alcohol use disorder, a medical condition that affects millions of people in the U.S” said Lorenzo Leggio, M.D., Ph.D., chief of the Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, a joint laboratory of NIDA and NIAAA, and one of the senior authors.</p>
<p>Currently there are <a href="https://alcoholtreatment.niaaa.nih.gov/FAQs-searching-alcohol-treatment#topic-what-medications-treat-aud">three medications approved for alcohol use disorder in the United States</a>, and they are an effective and important aid in the treatment of people with this condition. Given the diverse biological processes that contribute to alcohol use disorder, new medications are needed to provide a broader spectrum of treatment options. Scientists are working to develop a larger menu of pharmaceutical treatments that could be tailored to individual needs.</p>
<p>Previous research has shown that mineralocorticoid receptors, which are located throughout the brain and other organs and help regulate fluid and electrolyte balance in the body, might play a role in alcohol use and craving. Preclinical research suggests that higher mineralocorticoid receptor signaling contributes to increased alcohol consumption. The current study sought to expand this line of research by testing spironolactone, a medication with multiple actions, including blocking mineralocorticoid receptors. Spironolactone is used in clinical practice as a diuretic and to treat conditions like heart problems and high blood pressure.</p>
<p>In experiments conducted in mouse and rat models of excessive alcohol drinking, NIAAA and NIDA researchers led by co-senior author Leandro Vendruscolo, Pharm.D., Ph.D., from NIDA found that increasing doses of spironolactone decreased alcohol consumption in male and female animals, without causing movement or coordination problems, and without affecting their food or water intake.</p>
<p>In a parallel study that was part of this teams collaborative efforts, researchers led by co-senior author Amy C. Justice, M.D., Ph.D., of the Yale School of Medicine, examined health records of a large sample of people from the U.S. Veterans Affairs healthcare system to assess potential changes in alcohol drinking after spironolactone was prescribed for its current clinical indications (e.g., heart problems, high blood pressure). They found a significant association between spironolactone treatment and reduction in self-reported alcohol consumption, as measured by the <a href="https://auditscreen.org/">Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption</a>, a screening tool. Of note, the largest effects were observed among those who reported hazardous/heavy episodic alcohol consumption before starting spironolactone treatment.</p>
<p>“These are very encouraging findings,” said NIAAA Director George F. Koob, Ph.D., a co-author of the study. “Taken together, the present study argues for conducting randomized, controlled studies of spironolactone in people with alcohol use disorder to further assess its safety and potential efficacy in this population, as well as additional work to understand how spironolactone may reduce alcohol drinking.”</p>
<p>“Just like for any other medical condition, people with substance use disorders deserve to have a range of treatment options available to them, and this study is an exciting step in our effort to expand medications for people with alcohol use disorder,” said Nora Volkow, M.D., director of NIDA. “In addition, we must address the stigma and other barriers that prevent many people with alcohol use disorder from accessing the treatments we already have available.”</p>
<p><strong>Reference:</strong>&nbsp;M Farokhnia, et al. <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-022-01736-y">Spironolactone as a potential new pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorder: convergent evidence from rodent and human studies</a>. <em>Molecular Psychiatry. </em>DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01736-y</p>
<p>###</p>
<p><strong>About the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA):&nbsp;</strong>NIDA is a component of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIDA supports most of the worlds research on the health aspects of drug use and addiction. The Institute carries out a large variety of programs to inform policy, improve practice, and advance addiction science. For more information about NIDA and its programs, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nida.nih.gov/">www.nida.nih.gov</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
</div>
</article>
</div>
<div id="block-newsreleasecontact">
<div class="contact-info content-river">
<div><div class="contact-info content-river l-skinny">
<p><strong>About the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA):</strong><br>
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health, is the primary U.S. agency for conducting and supporting research on the causes, consequences, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of alcohol use disorder. NIAAA also disseminates research findings to general, professional, and academic audiences. Additional alcohol research information and publications are available at&nbsp;<a href="/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">www.niaaa.nih.gov</a>.</p>
<p><strong>About the National Institutes of Health (NIH):</strong><br>
NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nih.gov/" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.nih.gov</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Contact info</strong>:<br>
NIAAA Press Office<br>
301-443-2857<br>
<a href="mailto:NIAAAPressOffice@mail.nih.gov">NIAAAPressOffice@mail.nih.gov</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
</main>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<footer class="usa-footer usa-footer--big" role="contentinfo">
<div class="usa-footer__return-to-top return-to-top-stick">
<a href="#">Return to top</a>
</div>
<div class="usa-footer__primary-section">
<div class="usa-footer__primary-content">
<div class="grid-container">
<div class="grid-row grid-gap">
<div class="tablet:grid-col-8">
<nav class="usa-footer__nav" aria-label="Footer navigation">
<div class="grid-row grid-gap-4">
<div id="block-footermenu" class="mobile-lg:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col">
<section class="usa-footer__primary-content usa-footer__primary-content--collapsible">
<h4 class="usa-footer__primary-link">NIAAA</h4>
<ul class="usa-list usa-list--unstyled">
<li class="usa-footer__secondary-link">
<a href="/sitemap" title="" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="sitemap">Site Map</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-footer__secondary-link">
<a href="/about-niaaa/contact-us" title="" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/201">Contact Us</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-footer__secondary-link">
<a href="/disclaimer" title="" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/616">Disclaimer</a>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
</div>
<div id="block-solstice-otherniaaasites" class="mobile-lg:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col">
<section class="usa-footer__primary-content usa-footer__primary-content--collapsible">
<h4 class="usa-footer__primary-link">Other NIAAA Sites</h4>
<ul class="usa-list usa-list--unstyled">
<li class="usa-footer__secondary-link">
<a href="https://alcoholpolicy.niaaa.nih.gov/" title="Alcohol Policy Information System" class="link">Alcohol Policy Information System</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-footer__secondary-link">
<a href="https://arcr.niaaa.nih.gov/" title="Alcohol Research: Current Reviews (ARCR)" class="link">Alcohol Research: Current Reviews (ARCR)</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-footer__secondary-link">
<a href="https://alcoholtreatment.niaaa.nih.gov/" title="Alcohol Treatment Navigator" class="link">Alcohol Treatment Navigator</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-footer__secondary-link">
<a href="https://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/" class="link">College Drinking Prevention</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-footer__secondary-link">
<a href="https://niaaaforteens.niaaa.nih.gov/" class="link">NIAAA Facts About Teen Drinking</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-footer__secondary-link">
<a href="/news-events/niaaa-spectrum-webzine" title="NIAAA Spectrum" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/169">NIAAA Spectrum</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-footer__secondary-link">
<a href="https://rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/" class="link">Rethinking Drinking</a>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
</div>
<div>
</nav>
</div>
<div class="tablet:grid-col-4">
<div>
<div id="block-solstice-govdeliveryformblock">
<div class="usa-sign-up">
<h4 class="usa-sign-up__heading">Get Email Updates</h4>
<form class="usa-form" action="https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNIAAA/subscribers/qualify" accept-charset="UTF-8" method="post" data-drupal-form-fields="email" target="_blank">
<input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="✓">
<input type="hidden" name="authenticity_token" value="myTqrfcKP26ImObkqXpLlCJwJeMr6pdTfN5L19Lw964CAojxidv3kEZTy3NuaWCFS9OWuYPTy20qtVl1JsD9hQ==">
<label class="usa-label" for="email">Your email address</label>
<input class="usa-input" id="email" name="email" type="email"/>
<button class="usa-button" type="submit">Sign up</button>
</form>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="usa-footer__secondary-section">
<div class="grid-container">
<div class="grid-row grid-gap">
<div class="usa-footer__logo grid-row mobile-lg:grid-col-6 mobile-lg:grid-gap-2">
<a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/">
<div class="mobile-lg:grid-col-auto">
<img class="usa-footer__logo-img" src="/sites/default/themes/solstice/assets/img/niaaa-logo.png" alt="Agency logo">
</div>
</a>
</div>
<div class="usa-footer__contact-links desktop:grid-col-6">
<div class="usa-footer__social-links grid-row grid-gap-1">
<div class="grid-col-auto">
<a class="usa-social-link usa-social-link--facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/NIAAAgov/" target="_blank">
<i class="fa-brands fa-facebook-f"></i>
</a>
</div>
<div class="grid-col-auto">
<a class="usa-social-link usa-social-link--instagram" href="https://instagram.com/NIAAAnews" target="_blank">
<i class="fa-brands fa-instagram"></i>
</a>
</div>
<div class="grid-col-auto">
<a class="usa-social-link usa-social-link--twitter" href="https://twitter.com/NIAAAnews" target="_blank">
<i class="fa-brands fa-x-twitter"></i>
</a>
</div>
<div class="grid-col-auto">
<a class="usa-social-link usa-social-link--linkedin" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/nih-national-institute-on-alcohol-abuse-and-alcoholism/" target="_blank">
<i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin"></i>
</a>
</div>
<div class="grid-col-auto">
<a class="usa-social-link usa-social-link--youtube" href="https://www.youtube.com/@NIAAANIH" target="_blank">
<i class="fa-brands fa-youtube"></i>
</a>
</div>
</div>
<address class="usa-footer__address">
<div class="usa-footer__contact-info grid-row grid-gap">
</div>
</address>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</footer>
<div class="usa-identifier">
<section
class="usa-identifier__section usa-identifier__section--masthead"
aria-label="">
<div class="usa-identifier__container"><div class="usa-identifier__identity" aria-label="">
<p class="usa-identifier__identity-domain">niaaa.nih.gov</p>
<p class="usa-identifier__identity-disclaimer">An official website of the <a href="https://www.nih.gov">National Institutes of Health</a> and the <a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov">National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism</a></p>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<nav class="usa-identifier__section usa-identifier__section--required-links" aria-label="Important Links">
<div class="usa-identifier__container">
<ul class="usa-identifier__required-links-list">
<li class="usa-identifier__required-links-item">
<a href="/about-niaaa" class="usa-identifier__required-link usa-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/86">About NIAAA</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-identifier__required-links-item">
<a href="/accessibility" class="usa-identifier__required-link usa-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/92">Accessibility</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-identifier__required-links-item">
<a href="/freedom-information-act-foia" class="usa-identifier__required-link usa-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/96">FOIA</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-identifier__required-links-item">
<a href="/privacy" class="usa-identifier__required-link usa-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/93">Privacy Policy</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-identifier__required-links-item">
<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/index.html" class="usa-identifier__required-link usa-link">Vulnerability Disclosure</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</nav>
<section class="usa-identifier__section usa-identifier__section--usagov" aria-label="">
<div class="usa-identifier__container">
<div class="usa-identifier__usagov-description">Looking for U.S. government information and services?</div>
<a href="https://www.usa.gov/" class="usa-link">Visit USA.gov</a>
</div>
</section>
</div>
</div>
<script type="application/json" data-drupal-selector="drupal-settings-json">{"path":{"baseUrl":"\/","pathPrefix":"","currentPath":"node\/13231","currentPathIsAdmin":false,"isFront":false,"currentLanguage":"en"},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","suppressDeprecationErrors":true,"data":{"extlink":{"extTarget":true,"extTargetNoOverride":false,"extNofollow":false,"extNoreferrer":false,"extFollowNoOverride":false,"extClass":"ext","extLabel":"(link is external)","extImgClass":false,"extSubdomains":false,"extExclude":"(niaaa-dev\\.iq\\.iqsolutions\\.com)|(niaaa-demo\\.iqsolutions\\.com)|(dev\\.niaaa\\.nih\\.gov)|(stage\\.niaaa\\.nih\\.gov)|(content\\.niaaa\\.nih\\.gov)| (drupal1stg\\.prod\\.acquia-sites\\.com)|(addictionresearch\\.nih\\.gov)|(alcoholtreatment\\.niaaa\\.nih\\.gov)|(arcr\\.niaaa\\.nih\\.gov)|(pubs\\.niaaa\\.nih\\.gov)|(rethinkingdrinking\\.niaaa\\.nih\\.gov)|(collegedrinkingprevention\\.gov)|(niaaa\\.nih\\.gov)| (spectrum\\.niaaa\\.nih\\.gov)","extInclude":"(permanent\\.fdlp\\.gov\/*)","extCssExclude":".usa-social-link","extCssExplicit":"","extAlert":false,"extAlertText":"The link you have selected is located on a non-NIAAA website. The page will open in a new window. Click OK to proceed. Click Cancel to stay on the NIAAA website. For additional information, click the \u0022Disclaimer\u0022 link at the bottom of this webpage. NIAAA links to external websites to supplement the information found on the NIAAA website. However, NIAAA is not responsible for the information provided on external websites. Linking to a non-NIAAA website does not indicate an endorsement by NIAAA of the sponsors or of the information and products presented on the website. You will be subject to the external website\u0027s privacy policy when you leave NIAAA\u0027s website.","mailtoClass":"mailto","mailtoLabel":"(link sends email)","extUseFontAwesome":false,"extIconPlacement":"append","extFaLinkClasses":"fa fa-external-link","extFaMailtoClasses":"fa fa-envelope-o","whitelistedDomains":[]}},"ajaxTrustedUrl":{"\/search":true},"user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"4e30a5f49b5cb41f19ce8fc050778cbf4a3f6d15e6ea7ae3ecb470a24eb76f37"}}</script>
<script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_7EEwZdd8l1mj56dq3iNvu0yA35A65lrEovJK0yLC2Ks.js?scope=footer&amp;delta=0&amp;language=en&amp;theme=solstice&amp;include=eJxFiksOgCAMBS8EciaUSoi1Je0j6u11oXE5H1d2tIVSZZ0zR8fFTWrwz68qyAe57hToxBO3VGz0zNOL_2uEYRKh_Qbz6yKX"></script>
</body>
</html>