Psilocybin targets a common molecular mechanism for cognitive impairment and increased craving in alcoholism.

ABSTRACT: Alcohol-dependent patients commonly show impairments in executive functions that facilitate craving and can lead to relapse. However, the molecular mechanisms leading to executive dysfunction in alcoholism are poorly understood, and new effective pharmacological treatments are desired. Here, using a bidirectional neuromodulation approach, we demonstrate a causal link between reduced prefrontal mGluR2 function and both impaired executive control and alcohol craving. A neuron-specific prefrontal mGluR2 knockdown in rats generated a phenotype of reduced cognitive flexibility and excessive alcohol seeking. Conversely, virally restoring prefrontal mGluR2 levels in alcohol-dependent rats rescued these pathological behaviors. In the search for a pharmacological intervention with high translationa

SUBMITTER: Meinhardt MW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8598005 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature