Probiotics-role in alleviating the impact of alcohol liver disease and alcohol deaddiction: a systematic review.

Background: There are few efficient treatment options for alcohol addiction, which continues to be a serious public health concern. The possible contribution of gut microbiota to the onset and progression of alcohol addiction has been brought to light by recent studies. Probiotics have become a cutting-edge intervention in the treatment of alcohol consumption disorder because of its favorable effects on gut health. The purpose of this systematic review is to assess the body of research on the advantages of probiotics in treating alcoholism and associated neuroinflammatory conditions. Methods: To find pertinent research published from January 2012 to 2023, a thorough search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and Web of Science, was carried out. Included were studies looking at how probiotics affect neuroinflammation, gut- brain axis regulation, alcohol addiction, and related behaviors. Findings: Several investigations have shown how beneficial probiotics are in reducing systemic inflammation and alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Probiotic treatments successfully corrected the imbalance of microbiota, decreased intestinal permeability, and stopped the passage of bacterial constituents such lipopolysaccharides (LPS) into the bloodstream. Additionally, probiotics helped to regulate neurotransmitter pathways, especially those connected to GABA, glutamate, and dopamine, which are intimately linked to behaviors related to addiction. Furthermore, it was shown that probiotics altered the expression of neurotransmitter signaling and dopamine receptors. Conclusion: There is strong evidence from this systematic study that probiotics have potential advantages in treating alcohol addiction. The potential of probiotic therapies is demonstrated by the way they modulate important neurotransmitter pathways implicated in addiction, decrease neuroinflammation, and restore the balance of gut flora. To fully investigate the therapeutic potential of probiotics in treating alcohol addiction and enhancing the general wellbeing of those afflicted by this condition, more research is necessary.

From Cirrhosis to the Dysbiosis (A Loop of Cure or Complications?).

Gut dysbiosis and liver cirrhosis are two corelated complications that highly disturbs the metabolism of a normal human body. Liver cirrhosis is scarring of the hepatic tissue and gut dysbiosis is the imbalance in the microbiome of the gut. Gut dysbiosis in cirrhosis occurs due to increased permeability of the intestinal membrane which might induce immune responses and damage the normal functioning of the body. Dysbiosis can cause liver damage from cirrhosis and can further lead to liver failure by hepatocellular carcinoma. In this review we discuss if eubiosis can revert the poorly functioning cirrhotic liver to normal functioning state? A normal microbiome converts various liver products into usable forms that regulates the overgrowth of microbiome in the gut. The imbalance caused by dysbiosis retards the normal functioning of liver and increases the complications. To correct this dysbiosis, measures like use of antibiotics with probiotics and prebiotics are used. This correction of the gut microbiome serves as a ray of hope to recover from this chronic illness. In case of alcohol induced liver cirrhosis, intervention of microbes can possibly be helpful in modulating the addiction as well as associated complications like depression as microbes are known to produce and consume neurotransmitters that are involved in alcohol addiction. Hence a correction of gut liver brain axis using microbiome can be a milestone achieved not only for treatment of liver cirrhosis but also for helping alcohol addicts quit and live a healthy or at least a near healthy life.

Effects of adolescent alcohol exposure on oligodendrocyte lineage cells and myelination in mice: Age and subregion differences.

Adolescence is an important phase for the structural and functional development of the brain. The immaturity of adolescent brain development is associated with high susceptibility to exogenous disturbances, including alcohol. In this study, the acquisition of conditioned place preference (CPP) in adolescent mice by alcohol (2 g/kg) and the parvalbumin-positive interneurons (PV+ interneurons), oligodendrocyte lineage cells (OPCs), and myelination in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) were assessed. We aim to determine the age- and subregional-specificity of the effects of alcohol. Alcohol (2 g/kg) was injected intraperitoneally on even days, and saline was injected intraperitoneally on odd days. The control group received a continuous intraperitoneal injection with saline. Differences in alcohol-induced CPP acquisition were assessed, followed by immunohistochemical staining. The results showed a pronounced CPP acquisition in 4- and 5-week-old mice. In the mPFC, there were reduced PV+ interneurons and OPCs in 3-week-old mice and reduced oligodendrocyte numbers in 4-week-old mice. The 5-week-old mice showed impaired myelination and a decrease in the number of PV+ interneurons, mature oligodendrocytes, and OPCs in the mPFC. Since the alterations in 5-week-old mice are more pronounced, we further explored the mPFC-associated subregional-specificity. In the alcohol-exposed mice, the oligodendrocyte numbers were decreased in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), PV+ interneuron numbers were declined in the prelimbic cortex (PL), and the number of oligodendrocytes, PV+ interneurons, and OPCs was also decreased with impaired myelination in the infralimbic cortex (IL). Our data suggest that adolescent alcohol exposure notably affected the acquisition of CPP, myelin formation, and the counts of PV+ interneurons, mature oligodendrocytes, and OPCs in the mPFC in 5-week-old mice. Also, the IL subregion was the worst-affected subregion of the mPFC in alcohol-exposed 5-week-old mice. It reveals that the effects of alcohol on adolescence and its mPFC myelination show obvious age- and subregional-specificity.

Meditation and Compassion Therapy in Psychiatric Disorders: A Pilot Study.

Introduction Our study aimed to compare meditation and compassion-based group therapy with the standard of care in patients with eating disorders, drug addiction, alcohol addiction, and depression, concerning acceptance, mindfulness awareness, self-compassion, and psychological distress. Methods A controlled designed study was performed, comparing meditation and compassion-focused group therapy added to the standard of care with the standard of care alone, on patients with eating disorders, drug addiction, alcohol addiction, and mood disorders. Four validated questionnaires were administered: the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), which assesses the ability to be fully in touch with the present moment; the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), which assesses the ability to experience consciously what is happening in the present moment; the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), which assesses self-compassion characteristics, including loving-kindness; and the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), which measures psychological distress (anxiety, depression, psychotic behavior, etc.). Results There was a total of 75 subjects, out of which 48 represented the experimental group, and 27 represented the control group. The overall mean age of the subjects was 44.8 ± 13.2 years. There were statistically significant increases in the experimental group (baseline vs. end of study) for the AAQ-II, MAAS, and SCS scores, and a statistically significant decrease in the SCL-90 score. In the control group, there was a statistically significant decrease in the SCL-90 score, but no significant differences for other measurements. The comparisons between the two groups at the end of the study were as follows: AAQ-II: 0.7 (-5.74 to 7.15), p = 0.827; MAAS: 4.78 (-3.19 to 12.75), p = 0.233; SCS: 5.89 (-3.18 to 14.96), p = 0.199; SCL-90: -0.26 (-0.62 to 0.1), p = 0.157. Conclusion Within the experimental group, all scales improved statistically significantly. There were no statistically significant differences at the end of the study concerning the four scales between the groups. The comparison between groups was limited by data availability.

Quality of Life Assessment Using the WHOQOL-BREF Survey in Hospitalized Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder from Romania.

This cross-sectional analysis aimed to assess the quality of life (QoL) among hospitalized patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) in Romania, utilizing the WHOQOL survey. Conducted from January to December 2023 in the Psychiatry Clinic of the "Pius Brinzeu" Emergency Clinical Hospital in Timisoara, this study engaged 70 participants, adhering to ethical standards outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. Employing the WHOQOL-BREF instrument, the research hypothesized that AUD patients would show significantly lower QoL scores across its domains compared to general population norms. The study focused on identifying the QoL domains most impacted by AUD, exploring correlations between QoL scores and AUD background characteristics, and pinpointing intervention areas for patient care improvement. Participants were predominantly males (88.57%) with a middle-aged average of 55.51 years. Educational backgrounds varied, with a notable percentage having attended college (44.29%) or university (17.14%). Regarding marital status, 41.43% were married. Comorbidities were present in 52.86% of the sample, with hypertension being the most common (34.29%). Results showed mean QoL scores in the physical (61.84 ± 16.05), psychological (64.11 ± 17.16), social (60.48 ± 24.85), and environmental (68.44 ± 17.34) domains, revealing a significant diversity in satisfaction levels across these areas. Statistical analyses highlighted marital status as significantly associated with a better QoL in the physical domain, with married, co-habiting, and divorced participants reporting higher scores compared to single ones. In conclusion, while AUD significantly affects the QoL of hospitalized patients in Romania, marital status emerges as a critical factor in mitigating these effects, particularly in the physical domain of QoL. These findings underscore the complexity of AUD's impact on QoL and the importance of considering sociodemographic factors in patient care practices and interventions. The study contributes valuable insights into the nuanced relationship between AUD and QoL, proposing a foundation for enhancing care outcomes for AUD patients in Romania.

What Is It Like to Be in Alcohol Addiction Recovery? A Dialectical Phenomenological Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Currently, there is no scientific consensus on the concept of alcohol addiction recovery beyond substance use control. This conceptual issue challenges the implementation of therapeutic strategies and mental health policies that are unrestricted to symptomatic remission. Aiming to contribute to its definition, this study aimed to examine the recovery experience of individuals with alcohol addiction using dialectical phenomenological psychopathology (DPP) as a theoretical and methodological framework. METHODS: A dialectical phenomenological analysis was conducted through an examination of online interviews with eight Brazilian, São Paulo state citizens who were self-declared to be undergoing alcohol addiction recovery (or who declared that they had completely recovered). RESULTS: Participants' reports generated eight categories that were subdivided into two groups. The first group indicated experiential elements of recovery, such as changes in self-relation, changes in interpersonal relations, and changes in time relations, giving new meanings to suffering and alcohol use, and recovery as a continuous process. The second group referred to how the participants interpreted recovery according to their worldviews: as a spiritual experience, moral reformation, and mentality change. CONCLUSION: These categories can be understood through the lens of DPP as a process of change in the subjects' being in the world, characterized by the continued management of their existential imbalances in the dimensions of spatiality, temporality, selfhood, and intersubjectivity. The results are preliminary when it comes to conceptualizing recovery but may help future studies to develop recovery-oriented therapeutic strategies.

Emerging drugs in phase II and III clinical development for the treatment of alcohol use disorder.

INTRODUCTION: Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) poses an ongoing significant global health burden. AUD is highly prevalent and affects not only the individuals with AUD, but also their communities and society at large. Even though pharmacotherapy is an integral part of AUD treatment, the few available substances show limited efficacy and limited clinical impact. Thus, there is a need for new innovative pharmacotherapeutic approaches. AREAS COVERED: This paper provides a comprehensive review of drugs approved for the treatment of AUD as well as those currently in phase II and III development. Data from recent clinical trials has been reviewed and supplemented by additional literature based on a systematic search of the PubMed database and clinical trials registries. Compounds discussed include disulfiram, naltrexone, nalmefene, acamprosat, baclofen, sodium oxybate, doxazosin, varenicline, zonisamide, gabapentin, apremilast, ibudilast, ivermectin, tolcapone, mifepristone, suvorexant, ketamine, psilocybin, semaglutide, oxytocin and cannabidiol. EXPERT OPINION: Even though the majority of the discussed compounds lack sufficient evidence to support their efficacy, multiple promising new treatment options are currently under investigation. Future research has to consider specific phenotypes and subgroups of AUD as well as a possible enhancement of the effects of psychotherapy through combination with pharmacotherapy. Practitioners should be encouraged to use available compounds to support existing therapeutic regimens.

A qualitative study about explanatory models of alcohol use disorder among patients and relatives in a Ugandan mental hospital.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major clinical problem in Uganda. Explanatory models (EMs) of illness are important as they have consequences for treatment. Clinicians´ knowledge about patients´ EMs can improve understanding of the latter´s perspectives and adapting treatments. There is a lack of African studies about EMs of AUD. The aim of this study was to explore EMs for AUD among hospitalized patients and their relatives at the alcohol and drug unit (ADU) at Butabika hospital in Uganda. METHODS: An adapted version of the Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue (EMIC) was used for interviews with ten patients and five relatives to investigate how both hospitalized patients with AUD and their relatives understand the disease. Data were analysed for themes with a qualitative content analysis and support of the software program, OpenCode 4.03. RESULTS: Five major themes were identified from the patient interviews: "Context promotes AUD"; "Alcohol is part of culture"; "Spiritual causes of AUD in the community"; "Help through Western medicine and religious sources is preferred" and "Social problems and stigmatization". Six major themes identified from the interviews with relatives were: "Numerous causes of drinking alcohol"; "Devastating consequences of drinking alcohol"; "Exploiting persons with AUD"; "Others' suffering"; "Relatives struggling for help" and "Suggested solutions". CONCLUSIONS: Patients' EMs of AUD included social and spiritual explanations. Alcohol is seen as an important part of the Ugandan culture among both patients and their relatives. The results indicate it is important in clinical contexts to investigate the EMs of the patients and relatives to individually tailor treatment interventions.

Current treatments of alcohol use disorder.

Emerging treatments for alcohol dependence reveal an intricate interplay of neurobiological, psychological, and circumstantial factors that contribute to Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). The approved strategies balancing these factors involve extensive manipulations of neurotransmitter systems such as GABA, Glutamate, Dopamine, Serotonin, and Acetylcholine. Innovative developments are engaging mechanisms such as GABA reuptake inhibition and allosteric modulation. Closer scrutiny is placed on the role of Glutamate in chronic alcohol consumption, with treatments like NMDA receptor antagonists and antiglutamatergic medications showing significant promise. Complementing these neurobiological approaches is the progressive shift towards Personalized Medicine. This strategy emphasizes unique genetic, epigenetic and physiological factors, employing pharmacogenomic principles to optimize treatment response. Concurrently, psychological therapies have become an integral part of the treatment landscape, tackling the cognitive-behavioral dimension of addiction. In instances of AUD comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders, Personalized Medicine becomes pivotal, ensuring treatment and prognosis are closely defined by individual characteristics, as exemplified by Lesch Typology models. Given the high global prevalence and wide distribution of AUD, a persistent necessity exists for development and improvement of treatments. Current research efforts are steadily paving paths towards more sophisticated, effective typology-based treatments: a testament to the recognized imperative for enhanced treatment strategies. The potential encapsulated within the ongoing research suggests a promising future where the clinical relevance of current strategies is not just maintained but significantly improved to effectively counter alcohol dependence.

Global dynamics and computational modeling approach for analyzing and controlling of alcohol addiction using a novel fractional and fractal-fractional modeling approach.

In recent years, alcohol addiction has become a major public health concern and a global threat due to its potential negative health and social impacts. Beyond the health consequences, the detrimental consumption of alcohol results in substantial social and economic burdens on both individuals and society as a whole. Therefore, a proper understanding and effective control of the spread of alcohol addictive behavior has become an appealing global issue to be solved. In this study, we develop a new mathematical model of alcohol addiction with treatment class. We analyze the dynamics of the alcohol addiction model for the first time using advanced operators known as fractal-fractional operators, which incorporate two distinct fractal and fractional orders with the well-known Caputo derivative based on power law kernels. The existence and uniqueness of the newly developed fractal-fractional alcohol addiction model are shown using the Picard-Lindelöf and fixed point theories. Initially, a comprehensive qualitative analysis of the alcohol addiction fractional model is presented. The possible equilibria of the model and the threshold parameter called the reproduction number are evaluated theoretically and numerically. The boundedness and biologically feasible region for the model are derived. To assess the stability of the proposed model, the Ulam-Hyers coupled with the Ulam-Hyers-Rassias stability criteria are employed. Moreover, utilizing effecting numerical schemes, the models are solved numerically and a detailed simulation and discussion are presented. The model global dynamics are shown graphically for various values of fractional and fractal dimensions. The present study aims to provide valuable insights for the understanding the dynamics and control of alcohol addiction within a community.

Paraventricular thalamus to nucleus accumbens circuit activation decreases long-term relapse of alcohol-seeking behaviour in male mice.

BACKGROUND: Some studies have highlighted the crucial role of aversion in addiction treatment. The pathway from the anterior paraventricular thalamus (PVT) to the shell of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) has been reported as an essential regulatory pathway for processing aversion and is also closely associated with substance addiction. However, its impact on alcohol addiction has been relatively underexplored. Therefore, this study focused on the role of the PVT-NAc pathway in the formation and relapse of alcohol addiction-like behaviour, offering a new perspective on the mechanisms of alcohol addiction. RESULTS: The chemogenetic inhibition of the PVT-NAc pathway in male mice resulted in a notable decrease in the establishment of ethanol-induced conditioned place aversion (CPA), and NAc-projecting PVT neurons were recruited due to aversive effects. Conversely, activation of the PVT-NAc pathway considerably impeded the formation of ethanol-induced conditioned place preference (CPP). Furthermore, during the memory reconsolidation phase, activation of this pathway effectively disrupted the animals' preference for alcohol-associated contexts. Whether it was administered urgently 24 h later or after a long-term withdrawal of 10 days, a low dose of alcohol could still not induce the reinstatement of ethanol-induced CPP. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated PVT-NAc circuit processing aversion, which may be one of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying aversive counterconditioning, and highlighted potential targets for inhibiting the development of alcohol addiction-like behaviour and relapse after long-term withdrawal.

A dual-omics approach on the effects of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) on ventral tegmental area dopaminergic neurons in response to alcohol consumption in mice.

Harmful alcohol consumption is a major socioeconomic burden to the health system, as it can be the cause of mortality of heavy alcohol drinkers. The dopaminergic (DAergic) system is thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of alcohol drinking behaviour; however, its exact role remains elusive. Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), a neurotrophic factor, associated with both the DAergic system and alcohol consumption, may play an important role in DAergic neuroadaptations during alcohol abuse. Within this study, we aimed to clarify the role of endogenous FGF-2 on the DAergic system and whether there is a possible link to alcohol consumption. We found that lack of FGF-2 reduces the alcohol intake of mice. Transcriptome analysis of DAergic neurons revealed that FGF-2 knockout (FGF-2 KO) shifts the molecular fingerprint of midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons to DA subtypes of the ventral tegmental area (VTA). In line with this, proteomic changes predominantly appear also in the VTA. Interestingly, these changes led to an altered regulation of the FGF-2 signalling cascades and DAergic pathways in a region-specific manner, which was only marginally affected by voluntary alcohol consumption. Thus, lack of FGF-2 not only affects the gene expression but also the proteome of specific brain regions of mDA neurons. Our study provides new insights into the neuroadaptations of the DAergic system during alcohol abuse and, therefore, comprises novel targets for future pharmacological interventions.

Liraglutide Reduces Alcohol Consumption, Anxiety, Memory Impairment, and Synapse Loss in Alcohol Dependent Mice.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analogues have been commercialized for the management of type 2 diabetes. Recent studies have underscored GLP-1's role as a modulator of alcohol-related behavior. However, the role of the GLP-1 analogue liraglutide on alcohol-withdrawal responses have not been fully elucidated. Liraglutide binds to the G-protein-coupled receptor and activates an adenylyl cyclase and the associated classic growth factor signaling pathway, which acts growth factor-like and neuroprotective properties. The underlying neurobiological mechanisms of liraglutide on alcohol withdrawal remains unknown. This study endeavored to explore the effects of liraglutide on the emotion and memory ability of alcohol-withdrawal mice, and synaptic morphology in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the hippocampus (HP), and thus affects the relapse-like drinking of alcohol-withdrawal mice. The alcohol-withdrawal group was reintroduced to a 20% v/v alcohol and water through the two-bottle choice for four consecutive days, a period referred to as alcohol re-drinking. Male C57BL/6J mice were exposed to a regimen of 20% alcohol and water for a duration of 6 weeks. This regimen established the two-bottle choice model of alcohol exposure. Learning capabilities, memory proficiency, and anxiety-like behavior were evaluated using the Morris water maze, open field, and elevated plus maze paradigms. Furthermore, synaptic morphology and the levels of synaptic transport-related proteins were assessed via Golgi staining and Western Blot analysis after a two-week alcohol deprivation period. Alcohol re-drinking of alcohol-withdrawal mice was also evaluated using a two-bottle choice paradigm. Our findings indicate that liraglutide can substantially decrease alcohol consumption and preference (p < 0.05) in the alcohol group and enhance learning and memory performance (p < 0.01), as well as alleviate anxiety-like behavior (p < 0.01) of alcohol-withdrawal mice. Alcohol consumption led to a reduction in dendritic spine density in the mPFC and HP, which was restored to normal levels by liraglutide (p < 0.001). Furthermore, liraglutide was found to augment the levels of synaptic transport-related proteins in mice subjected to alcohol withdrawal (p < 0.01). The study findings corroborate that liraglutide has the potential to mitigate alcohol consumption and ameliorate the memory impairments and anxiety induced by alcohol withdrawal. The therapeutic efficacy of liraglutide might be attributed to its role in counteracting synapse loss in the mPFC and HP regions and thus prevented relapse-like drinking in alcohol-withdrawal mice.

The relationship between male prisoners' self-efficacy and their participation in addiction treatment.

The purpose of this study was to attempt to verify the existence of a relationship between internal resources (self-esteem and self-efficacy) and motivation (decisional balance) to undergo treatment in prisoners with alcohol addiction participating in voluntary treatment as well as referred to obligatory addiction treatment based on a court decision. The study was carried out in penitentiary units in various parts of Poland in 2018-2019. Participants completed the Decision Balance Scale, Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, and Multidimensional Self-Esteem Inventory twice - before and after addiction treatment. The study adopted the assumptions of the Transtheoretical Model developed by Prochaska and DiClemente (1984). There were no statistically significant differences between the group of prisoners referred for obligatory treatment and those undergoing voluntary therapy. At the end of the 3-month treatment, there was a significantly smaller number of arguments "for" drinking and less identity integration in both groups studied. The results obtained may indicate that after undergoing therapy, prisoners remain in a contemplation stage due to their inability to adapt therapeutic interactions to individual needs. It seems that changes in identity integration may be indicative of the crisis that is being experienced, which in effect may allow individuals with alcohol addiction to search for and achieve a potentially new, coherent image of themselves.

The GlyT1-inhibitor Org 24598 facilitates the alcohol deprivation abolishing and dopamine elevating effects of bupropion + varenicline in rats.

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a relapsing brain disorder that involves perturbations of brain dopamine (DA) systems, and combined treatment with varenicline + bupropion produces additive effects on accumbal DA output and abolishes the alcohol deprivation effect (ADE) in rats. Also, direct and indirect glycine receptor (GlyR) agonists raise basal DA, attenuate alcohol-induced DA release in the nucleus Accumbens (nAc) and reduce alcohol consumption in rats. This study in rats examines whether the GlyT1-inhibitor Org 24598, an indirect GlyR agonist, enhances the ADE-reducing and DA elevating action of the combined administration of varenicline + bupropion in lower doses than previously applied. Effects on voluntary alcohol consumption, the ADE and extracellular levels of glycine and DA in nAc were examined following treatment with Org 24598 6 and 9 mg/kg i.p., bupropion 3.75 mg/kg i.p. and varenicline 1.5 mg/kg s.c., in monotherapy or combined, using a two-bottle, free-choice alcohol consumption paradigm with an ADE paradigm, and in vivo microdialysis in male Wistar rats. Notably, all treatment regimens appeared to abolish the ADE but only the effect produced by the triple combination (Org24598 + varenicline + bupropion) was significant compared to vehicle. Hence, addition of Org 24598 may enhance the ADE-reducing action of varenicline + bupropion and appears to allow for a dose reduction of bupropion. Treatment with Org 24598 raised accumbal glycine levels but did not significantly alter DA output in monotherapy. Varenicline + bupropion produced a substantial elevation in accumbal DA output that was slightly enhanced following addition of Org 24598. Conceivably, the blockade of the ADE is achieved by the triple combination enhancing accumbal DA transmission in complementary ways, thereby alleviating a hypothesized hypodopaminergia and negative reinforcement to drink. Ultimately, combining an indirect or direct GlyR agonist with varenicline + bupropion may constitute a new pharmacological treatment principle for AUD, although further refinement in dosing and evaluation of other glycinergic compounds are warranted.

Correlation analysis of mental health conditions and personality of patients with alcohol addiction.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol addiction, or alcohol dependence, refers to a psychological state of strong craving for alcohol caused by drinking when both the drinking times and alcohol consumption reach a certain level. Alcohol addiction can cause irreversible damage, leading to mental illness or mental disorders, negative changes in their original personality, and a tendency to safety incidents such as committing suicide or violent attacks on others. Significant attention needs to be given to the mental health of alcohol addicts, which could reflect their abnormal personality traits. However, only a few papers on this issue have been reported in China. AIM: To investigate the correlation between mental health and personality in patients with alcohol addiction. METHODS: In this single-center observational study, we selected 80 patients with alcohol addiction as the research subjects, according to the criteria of the K10 scale to evaluate the mental health of patients with alcohol addiction, and divided these patients into four groups based on the evaluation results: Good, average, relatively poor and bad. And then analyzed the correlation between mental health conditions and personality characteristics from these four groups of patients. RESULTS: The average score of the K10 scale (Kessler 10 Simple Psychological Status Assessment Scale) in 80 patients with alcohol addiction was 25.45 points, the median score was 25 points, the highest score was 50 points, and the lowest score was 11 points. Pearson's analysis showed that the K10 score was positively correlated with the scores of these two subscales, such as the P-subscale and the N-subscale (P < 0.05). In contrast, the K10 score had no significant correlation with the scores from the E-subscale and the L-subscale (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The mental health conditions of patients with alcohol addiction are positively correlated with their personality characteristics.

Assessing the Behavioral and Personality Changes in Alcohol Dependence Syndrome in Wardha, Central India.

Background Alcohol dependence syndrome occurs when the consumption of alcohol is uncontrollable. Most of the alcohol drinkers are usually males. There is a rise in the incidence of road traffic accidents under the influence of alcohol due to locomotor and cerebral dysfunction. Alcohol is a significant cause and contributing factor for domestic violence, family disharmony, and displeasure in families. Research studies have shown that after the lockdown of COVID-19, the consumption of alcohol decreased in India. This study was conducted to assess the behavioral and personality changes in alcohol dependence syndrome. Methods This study was conducted at a rural tertiary care hospital in Wardha, Maharashtra, Central India. Sixty-two males participated in the study. Out of which, 56 were included in the study. There were urban and rural participants in the study. The study was conducted for a period of six months. The participants who were being treated for alcohol withdrawal and alcohol dependence syndrome were included in the study. The individuals unwilling to participate in the research and those admitted to the intensive care unit were excluded from this study. The primary outcome measure of the study was to assess the behavioral and personality changes in alcohol dependence syndrome. Participants were screened using the Cut-Down, Annoyed, Guilty, and Eye-Opener (CAGE) and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaires. The diagnosis of alcohol dependence syndrome was made according to the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, (ICD-10) criteria. The participants were assessed using a self-report questionnaire. The parameters of assessment were aggressive behavior, domestic violence, workplace violence, verbal abuse, and variables including the forensic aspects of alcohol consumption, such as road traffic accidents, etc. Previous research and similar studies on factors related to alcohol dependence syndrome were compared to establish a conclusion for the study. Results Participants reported to have decreased psychomotor function upon alcohol consumption compared to the time they were not under the influence of alcohol. Aggressive behavior associated with irritability and agitation was observed in 89.28% (50 out of 56) participants. A total of 76.78% (43 out of 56) had road traffic accidents at least once under the influence of alcohol. Of the sample, 85.71% (48 out of 56) committed verbal abuse at the workplace and home as a result of aggression under the influence of alcohol. And 69.64% (39 out of 56) of the sample had memory loss after consumption of alcohol. Conclusion There are several behavioral changes in individuals who are alcohol dependent, which may affect their day-to-day activities and cause poor performance in the workplace. Participants in the study showed a notable positive relation between alcohol dependence syndrome and aggressive behavior, verbal aggression, domestic violence, memory loss, and road traffic accidents under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol dependence syndrome can be linked with decreased quality of life due to problems faced in daily activities like psychomotor functions, sleeping, etc. During the treatment of alcohol dependence or withdrawal from alcohol, individuals experience socio-behavioral changes. Cognitive behavior therapy, including cognitive neuroscience, can help in managing these behavior and personality changes in alcohol dependence syndrome.

miRNAs and Substances Abuse: Clinical and Forensic Pathological Implications: A Systematic Review.

Substance addiction is a chronic and relapsing brain disorder characterized by compulsive seeking and continued substance use, despite adverse consequences. The high prevalence and social burden of addiction are indisputable; however, the available intervention is insufficient. The modulation of gene expression and aberrant adaptation of neural networks are attributed to the changes in brain functions under repeated exposure to addictive substances. Considerable studies have demonstrated that miRNAs are strong modulators of post-transcriptional gene expression in substance addiction. The emerging role of microRNA (miRNA) provides new insights into many biological and pathological processes in the central nervous system: their variable expression in different regions of the brain and tissues may play a key role in regulating the pathophysiological events of addiction. This work provides an overview of the current literature on miRNAs involved in addiction, evaluating their impaired expression and regulatory role in neuroadaptation and synaptic plasticity. Clinical implications of such modulatory capacities will be estimated. Specifically, it will evaluate the potential diagnostic role of miRNAs in the various stages of drug and substance addiction. Future perspectives about miRNAs as potential novel therapeutic targets for substance addiction and abuse will also be provided.