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The Pharmacology of Alcohol Abuse pp 383–393Cite as

Drugs Attenuating Alcohol Consumption in Humans Through Effects on Various Neurotransmitter Systems

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Part of the book series: Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology ((HEP,volume 114))

Abstract

Several pharmacologic treatments for decreasing alcohol consumption and related problems have recently been identified and tested in clinical studies. These developments have been a consequence of increased understanding of the biological mechanisms regulating ethanol intake. Research studies suggest a role for several neurotransmitter systems and hormones in regulating the initiation, maintenance, and cessation of alcohol drinking in animals (NARANJOand SELLERS1992). Recently serotonin, dopamine, and endogenous opioids have been shown to be particularly important in alcohol consummatory behavior (NARANJO and SELLERS 1992; NARANJO et al. 1992c; AMIT and SMITH 1992). Most studies, both preclinical and clinical, have concentrated on a single neurotransmitter system or mechanism, but these independent lines of research will, most likely, be integrated in the future (AMIT and SMITH 1992). The interactions of systems and the potential synergisms of various drugs must be assessed since few medications have a sufficiently potent effect. This paper will review recent clinical research into neuropharmacologic agents and their effects on alcohol consumption. Some of the major findings are summarized in Table 1.

Parts of this manuscript have been published in abstracts and papers by the authors.

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Authors
  1. C. A. Naranjo
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  2. K. E. Bremner
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Addictive Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, MC2103, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, 263 Farmington Avenue, 06030, Farmington, CT, USA

    Henry R. Kranzler M.D. (Associate Professor and Director) (Associate Professor and Director)

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© 1995 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Naranjo, C.A., Bremner, K.E. (1995). Drugs Attenuating Alcohol Consumption in Humans Through Effects on Various Neurotransmitter Systems. In: Kranzler, H.R. (eds) The Pharmacology of Alcohol Abuse. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, vol 114. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-78435-4_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-78435-4_15

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-78437-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-78435-4

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