Episode 4: Targeting the Dopamine System to Treat Alcohol Dependence

In this episode we meet Pia Steensland and Nitya Jayaram-Lindström from the Centre of Psychiatric Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience to discuss their research on the evaluation of a dopamine stabiliser OSU6162 for alcohol dependence. Their translational studies show that in alcohol dependent patients OSU6162 reduces craving for alcohol and the animal studies demonstrate that OSU6162 normalises the level of dopamine in the brain reward system, following long- term alcohol consumption which could be the mechanism by which this compound mediates in effects. We discuss the implications of these findings for the indication of alcohol dependence and future directions with regards to OSU6162. To read more about on the studie visit http://ki.se/en/news/one-step-closer-to-a-new-drug-for-alcohol-dependence and to read more about their research in general visit http://ki.se/en/cns/johan-francks-research-group