Development of a Potential Therapeutic for the Treatment of Alcoholism

Background

Alcohol consumption is a major public health concern in the United States and according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, it is estimated that over 88, 424 people die on average for the years 2006-2010. Aside from death, excess alcohol consumption is linked with a host of other health-related problems, including Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) or alcohol-induced brain injury and alcohol-induced neuronal death, cirrhosis and astrogliosis. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a therapeutic which could potentially reduce addiction to alcohol. 

Technology Description

Researchers at UC San Diego have identified a target in a novel pathway that can be used to treat alcoholism. This has the potential to reduce addiction to alcohol and/or prevent or treat ALD or alcohol-induced brain injuries.

Applications

This is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of alcoholism

State Of Development

The work has been carried out in mouse models.

Intellectual Property Info

A provisional patent has been submitted and the technology is available for licensing.

Patent Status

Patent Pending