Subgroup analyses reveal GLP-1 RAs may reduce alcohol cravings and brain cue reactivity. Study: Association between glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists use and change in alcohol consumption: a systematic review . Image Credit: Kmpzzz/Shutterstock.
com In a recent study published in the eClinicalMedicine , a group of researchers assessed the association between glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) use and changes in alcohol consumption, along with their impact on alcohol-related outcomes and brain cue reactivity. Background Excessive alcohol consumption is a global health crisis, economic, driving social, and medical burdens, with alcohol-related disorders being a leading cause of hospitalizations and deaths. In the United Kingdom (UK) alone, alcohol-related deaths peaked in 2022, and the economic impact exceeds £21 billion annually.
Existing treatments for alcohol use disorder (AUD) often have limited efficacy due to poor adherence and adverse effects. GLP-1 RAs, originally developed for type 2 diabetes and obesity, show promise in modulating reward pathways central to addiction. Further research is needed to establish their long-term efficacy, safety, and tolerability in managing AUD.
About the study This systematic review adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and synthesized existing data from previously published studies. An electronic search was conducted on March 24, 2024, across Ovid Medlin.