Inserm UMR1247, groupe de recherche sur l'alcool et les pharmacodépendances, centre universitaire de recherche en santé, université Picardie Jules-Verne, chemin du Thil, Amiens, France. Electronic address: Olivier.pierrefiche@u-picardie.fr.
2 papers in the library · 8 citations · publishing 2024-2025
A review of preclinical studies in animal models examines two emerging approaches for alcohol use disorder: psychedelics and epigenetic drugs (epidrugs). Both treatments show potential benefits for reducing alcohol drinking, seeking, motivation, and relapse. Because psychedelics and epidrugs may share common and complementary mechanisms of action, there is an opportunity for exploring synergies between these approaches and their parallel effectiveness in treating AUD and associated psychiatric conditions.
Alcohol consumption remains a major public health problem. Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder can benefit from five treatments that target membrane receptors, but their efficacy is generally modest. A large body of experimental evidence points to an important role for epigenetics in the effects of alcohol, and epidrugs that modify the epigenome offer an alternative. This article reviews experimental evidence from animal models at different ages, compares it with human data, and assesses the relevance of using epidrugs. It also suggests a new therapeutic option linking psychedelics, recent molecules of interest, and epigenetic factors in alcohol intake.