Promising Preclinical Research Links Alzheimer's Drug to Potential Alcohol Addiction Treatment

A recent study conducted by researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University highlights the potential of an existing Alzheimer's medication to serve as a treatment for alcohol use disorder. The drug, tideglusib, originally developed for brain disorders like Alzheimer's disease, showed promising results in preclinical trials aimed at reducing alcohol consumption.

The research team, seeking new solutions for unhealthy alcohol use, published their findings in the journal Addiction Biology. Their experiments on mouse models demonstrated that tideglusib significantly decreased both chronic and binge drinking behaviors without causing noticeable toxicity or adverse effects. Notably, male mice experienced a slightly higher reduction in alcohol intake compared to females.

This discovery is particularly important given the limited number of effective medications available for alcohol use disorder—namely naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram—which are not suitable for everyone, especially individuals with kidney, liver problems, or those taking opioids. The potential repurposing of tideglusib could expand treatment options.

The study's lead researcher, Dr. Michael F. Miles, pointed out that there has been no new medication approved for alcohol use disorder in over 15 years, underscoring the urgent need for innovative therapies. Miles's interest in alcohol neuroscience stems from his clinical experience observing how excessive alcohol consumption impacts health, including high blood pressure, heart issues, liver disease, and cancer.

The mechanism behind tideglusib involves inhibiting GSK3β, a protein linked to brain adaptability and substance use behaviors. Elevated activity of this protein has been associated with increased drinking, prompting the researchers to test whether inhibiting GSK3β could reduce alcohol intake. Since tideglusib is already in clinical trials for other brain disorders, it offers an advantageous starting point for further research in alcohol addiction.

While these results are preliminary and derived from animal studies, they pave the way for potential human clinical trials. If successful, tideglusib could become a valuable tool in the fight against alcohol misuse, providing an alternative for patients who do not respond well to current medications.

Future research aims to understand how tideglusib influences brain activity and its specific neurological pathways involved in alcohol consumption. This knowledge could guide the development of targeted therapies for alcohol use disorder and other related conditions.

Overall, the findings suggest that existing drugs like tideglusib hold promise for addressing unmet needs in addiction treatment, bringing hope for new, effective interventions in the near future.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-preclinical-trials-alzheimer-drug-alcohol.html