American researchers revealed in the journal Nature Medicine the promising results of gene therapy to treat alcoholism. In just one year, this innovative treatment, tested on primates and involving the introduction of genetic material into cells, led to a 90% reduction in alcohol consumption.
The therapy acts on brain circuits disrupted by excessive alcohol consumption, by targeting dopamine linked to the reward circuit. The trials involved a gene introduced by a modified virus, with withdrawal cycles.
The researchers conclude that this approach to gene therapy targeting relapse prevention could represent a potential therapeutic strategy for alcohol addiction, although the work is still at an early stage. As alcoholism is difficult to treat due to the risk of relapse, this gene therapy could offer a solution, but as a last resort, given the associated challenges.
It is important to remember that currently, although there are treatments aimed at managing this health-damaging and potentially fatal addiction, alcoholism remains difficult to treat due to the high risk of relapse. For context, it should be noted that alcoholism is the second leading preventable cause of death in France, with almost 50,000 deaths each year.
 Sophie de Duiéry
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17/08/2023 | 
