Investigational Dementia Drug Shows Promise in Easing Alcohol Withdrawal

Researchers at the University of Kentucky have found that an experimental dementia drug, MW150, may help alleviate alcohol withdrawal symptoms by reducing brain inflammation related to addiction and relapse. Targeting a brain inflammation pathway known as p38α MAPK, the drug is designed for treating mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

Alcohol-related deaths have more than doubled in recent years, with a significant increase among women. Scientists suggest that neuroinflammation might contribute to relapse risk and long-term neurological damage in individuals with alcohol use disorder.

In laboratory and animal-model tests, MW150 was shown to lower certain inflammatory markers during alcohol withdrawal. The research, including work by neuroinflammation expert Linda Van Eldik at the University of Kentucky’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, was published in the journal Alcohol.

Caleb Bailey, Ph.D., co-author of the study, highlighted the biological plausibility that MW150 could reduce neuroinflammation stemming from alcohol withdrawal. He noted the challenge of treating alcohol use disorder due to high relapse rates, particularly during withdrawal. Bailey emphasized the potential of MW150 as a treatment for those struggling with chronic alcohol relapse if further experiments in alcohol use disorder models yield similar anti-inflammatory results.

Alongside a similar drug called Neflamapimod, MW150 is being tested in clinical trials for dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases. Bailey remarked on the significance of this work, as these compounds could be repurposed for alcohol-related conditions if further studies show promise.

The research was conducted in cell culture and animal models. Bailey noted these ‘dish’-based models provide limited information about full-organism effects, highlighting the necessity for comprehensive follow-up studies in living animals.

Dr. Amy Swift, not involved in the study, remarked on the importance of the findings. She acknowledged that detoxification using tapering doses of medication has been considered the evidence-based first step in treating alcohol use disorder. However, its long-term impact on drinking behavior is limited. According to Swift, adding supportive medications to detox could address a crucial gap in early treatment by enhancing overall brain health.

Experts agree that investigating neuroinflammation reduction could improve a patient’s early engagement in treatment, potentially altering their long-term relationship with alcohol. Bailey stressed that no amount of alcohol is beneficial for health. He noted the lack of robust treatments to mitigate damage from chronic alcohol consumption, advocating for minimizing alcohol intake as the best health strategy.

As MW150 progresses in dementia studies, Bailey stated that understanding the interaction between these drugs and alcohol is crucial for patient outcomes.