Alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder, is a chronic condition where individuals cannot control their drinking due to both physical and emotional dependence on alcohol. It often leads to a preoccupation with alcohol and an inability to stop drinking despite harmful consequences.
A recent study by researchers from the University of Warwick and other institutions has identified a specific brain network involved in alcohol addiction. This discovery sheds light on how alcohol dependency develops and why it can be so difficult to overcome.
The study focused on two key brain areas: the medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC) and the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG). The mOFC, located at the front of the brain, is responsible for detecting unpleasant or emergency situations.
When it senses danger or discomfort, it sends this information to the dPAG, a region in the brain’s core that helps decide whether to respond by escaping the situation. Together, these areas regulate how we perceive and react to danger.
The researchers found that an imbalance in this brain network may increase the risk of developing alcohol addiction in two distinct ways:
Compulsive Drinking: Alcohol inhibits the dPAG, preventing the brain from responding appropriately to negative signals, such as the harmful effects of drinking. This suppression makes a person focus only on the immediate benefits of alcohol, like relaxation or euphoria, without recognizing its negative consequences. This mechanism may drive compulsive drinking behavior.
Impulsive Drinking: On the other hand, individuals with alcohol addiction often have an overactive dPAG, making them feel as though they are constantly in an unpleasant or adverse situation. This persistent discomfort drives them to seek relief by drinking alcohol impulsively.
To investigate this further, the researchers analyzed MRI scans from the IMAGEN dataset, which includes 2,000 adolescents and young adults from the UK, Germany, France, and Ireland.
The participants performed tasks during functional MRI scans that involved experiencing negative feedback, such as not receiving rewards.
The study revealed that participants who had a history of alcohol abuse showed a stronger disruption in the regulation between the mOFC and dPAG during these tasks.
These findings suggest that alcohol addiction stems from a disruption in the brain’s danger-response system. When this system is thrown off balance, alcohol provides temporary relief or masks negative feelings, reinforcing the cycle of addiction.
Alcohol use disorder is one of the most severe and widespread mental health issues globally. According to the World Health Organization, over 3 million deaths each year are linked to alcohol use, contributing to 5.1% of the global disease burden.
Understanding the brain mechanisms behind addiction could pave the way for more effective treatments, helping individuals break free from alcohol dependency.
The research, published in Science Advances by Professor Jianfeng Feng and colleagues, highlights the importance of addressing the root causes of addiction in the brain. This insight may lead to innovative approaches to tackle alcohol abuse, a major global health challenge.
If you care about alcoholism, please read studies that your age may decide whether alcohol is good or bad for you, and people over 40 need to prevent dangerous alcohol/drug interactions.
For more information about alcohol, please see recent studies about moderate alcohol drinking linked to high blood pressure, and results showing this drug combo shows promise for treating alcoholism.
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