Boosting the level of a specific brain protein quickly cut excessive drinkingof alcohol in a new animal study, and also prevented relapse

In addition, the treatment did not block other "pleasure-seeking behaviors

Interference with these normal behaviors has been a problem with drugs developed for alcoholism treatment

increased levels of this brain protein, known as GDNF, cut down alcohol consumption

also pinpointed the brain site where GDNF acts to control drinking

Alcoholism is a devastating and costly psychiatric disease with enormous socioeconomic impact

There is a tremendous need for therapies to treat alcohol abuse

only three drugs are currently approved to treat excessive drinking, and all have serious limitations

set out to test the actions of GDNF in a brain site known as the Ventral Tegmental Area, or VTA, a region of the brain thought to be strongly involved in drug-seeking behavior

now studying whether any FDA-approved drugs might stimulate GDNF activity in the brain