Unlikely Creatures Provide Insight Into Alcoholism Treatment

C. elegans worms exhibit alcohol withdrawal like humans

Who knew the brain of worms was similar to those of humans – similar enough to scientifically test the effects of alcohol on the human brain?

In a new study researchers initially pondered the “cure” for a hangover, but discovered more about how the brain adapts to different levels of intoxication while watching worms go through alcohol withdrawal.

The study unearthed a brain molecule that actually leads to hangovers and researchers believe it causes withdrawal symptoms from alcohol as the brain readjusts from intoxication.

The lead researcher on the study, Lindy Holden-Dye from University of Southampton’s School of Biological Sciences, explains the significance of this research lies in that the words show the “effects of the withdrawal of alcohol and enables us to define how alcohol affects signaling in nerve circuits which leads to changes in behavior,” prompting investigation into how to best tackle withdrawal.

The reporting article from Yahoo! News explains, “This study identifies where and also how alcohol consumption affect the nervous system and the brain in a way that hasn’t been revealed until now,” going on to quote professor Holden-Dye as saying “This is leading to new ideas for the treatment of alcoholism. Our study provides a very effective experimental system to tackle this problem.”

This study could help make initial treatment for alcoholism more effective, making those critical first days and weeks more easily managed by both the individual and those caring for him or her. Also of importance, the observation of the brain’s adaptation to alcohol levels gives even more credo to the much needed mass understanding that addiction is a brain disease rather than a matter of personal strength – a misunderstanding still hindering the recovery of millions of people.

Let’s hope more studies like this come out and become embraced by the public to help recovery experts better understand how to effectively treat withdrawal symptoms of an addict.

Read more about the study here!

Tags: alcohol withdrawal, alcohol-related consequences, alcoholism