Alcoholism Treatment Study Conducted in Kingston Shows Promise

KINGSTON, R.I. - July 2, 2018 - PRLog -- A study called 'A Novel Compound for Alcoholism Treatment: A Translational Strategy', is testing the potential of a medication developed by Pfizer to treat obesity and diabetes when used to treat alcoholism. And so far, the results are promising.

The University of Rhode Island study is targeting ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates a person's appetite, food cravings, and consumption. Scientists are looking to find out if a medication that blocks people's ghrelin levels can be effective in assisting people who have been diagnosed with alcohol use disorders.

Tests with rats revealed successful outcomes. The second phase of the study included a total of 12 participants who had volunteered and tests results showed that the medicine was safe and able to statistically lower the cravings related to alcohol.

The team is now working on another stage of the clinical trial, the inpatient phase, which will include more people — 55 people, aged 18 to 65 — who may be administered either a placebo twice a day or the substance to block their ghrelin levels.

The inpatient phase will feature counseling and follow-up monitoring sessions with participants that will be eight hours long and may be recorded.

The team has stated that they are hoping to learn more about alcohol use disorders in general and about the treatment of alcoholism.

The study is expected to be concluded by December 31, 2019.

https://www.drugaddictionnow.com/2018/06/29/kingston-alco...