The Roles of Endogenous D2R Dopamine and μ-opioid Receptors of the Brain in Alcohol use Disorder
Khikhmetova K. Semenova Y. Bjørklund G.
2024Bentham Science Publishers
Current Medicinal Chemistry
2024#31Issue 396393 - 6406 pp.
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by a strong physiological and psychological craving to consume large amounts of alcohol despite adverse consequences. Alcohol use disorder carries a large health and economic burden on society. Despite its prevalence, AUD is still severely undertreated. The precise molecular mechanisms of how alcohol addiction forms are yet unknown. However, previous studies on animal models show that along with the μ-opioid receptors, the D2R dopamine receptors may also be involved in alcohol craving and reward pathways. Currently, there is a limited number of treatment strategies for alcohol use disorder, which include several medications and therapy. By understanding the limitations of current treatment options and exploring new potential targets, it could be possible to find more effective ways of treating AUD in the future.
Alcohol , alcohol dependence treatment , alcohol use disorder , D2R dopamine receptors , dopamine receptors , opioid receptors
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School of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Mo i Rana, Norway
School of Medicine
Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine
10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель
Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026