Effects of Gabapentin on Dorsal Anterior Cingulate Cortex GABA and Glutamate Levels and Their Associations With Abstinence in Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial

What is it about?

In a Randomized Clinical Trial of individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder, gabapentin (relative to placebo) interacted with abstinence during early treatment to increase glutamate (primary excitatory neurotransmitter), and decrease GABA (primary inhibitory neurotransmitter), levels in abstinent individuals. Gabapentin-treated participants with increased glutamate levels demonstrated significantly more percent days abstinent over the remainder of treatment. These effects on a key neurochemical system could be a model for future AUD pharmacotherapy development/efficacy.

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