Effects of GLP‐1 Receptor Agonists in Alcohol Use Disorder
Mette Kruse Klausen, Gitte M. Knudsen, Tina Vilsbøll, Anders Fink‐Jensen
Abstract
In the search for novel treatment strategies for alcohol use disorder (AUD), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) approved for treating Type 2 diabetes and obesity have caught much attention. GLP-1 is a naturally occurring peptide produced in the small intestines and the brain, regulating plasma glucose levels and satiety. This focused review will report on the preclinical studies, case stories, register-based cohort studies, brain-imaging data and secondary analysis of clinical data supporting the role of GLP-1RAs as a novel treatment of AUD. Several clinical trials are ongoing, examining the potential effects of the GLP-1RA semaglutide in AUD.
Topics & Concepts
Alcohol use disorderAlcoholGlucagon-like peptide 1 receptorAgonistReceptorMedicinePharmacologyPsychiatryInternal medicineChemistryBiochemistryDiet and metabolism studiesDiabetes Treatment and ManagementPharmacology and Obesity Treatment