Science and Nuts

GDNF Mediates the Desirable Actions of the Anti-Addiction Drug Ibogaine against Alcohol Consumption

Ibogaine-GDNF & related at Scribd.

In this study, they first characterized the actions of ibogaine on ethanol self-administration in rodents. Ibogaine decreased ethanol intake by rats in 2 bottle choice and operant self-administration paradigms. Ibogaine also reduced operant self administration of ethanol in a relapse model. Next, they identified a molecular mechanism that mediates the desirable activities of ibogaine on ethanol intake.

BIG News in Alcohol Addiction: New Findings on Growth
Factor Pathways BDNF, Insulin, and GDNF
In recent years, it has become clear that growth factors are not only critical for the development of the central nervous system (CNS) but may also be important contributors to other neuronal functions in the adult brain.

A decrease in the function of a particular growth factor increases the behavioral effect of alcohol. Increases in GDNF and BDNF are reported to decrease alcohol intake, whereas decreases in BDNF are associated with increased alcohol intake. In addition, decreases in insulin signaling lead to increases in the intoxicating effects of alcohol. Hence, these 3 factors may be important nervous system defenses against pharmacological effects of alcohol on behavior.