Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues: A potential new treatment for alcohol use disorder?

Abstract

The pharmacological armamentarium for the maintenance of alcohol abstinence in patients with alcohol use disorder has not gained widespread dissemination and novel molecular targets for the medical treatment of alcohol use disorder are needed. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone, which is secreted from endocrine L cells of the intestine in response to nutrients in the gut lumen. Recent studies have demonstrated inhibitory effects of GLP-1 analogues on alcohol consumption and alcohol-mediated behaviour in rodents. Based on the urgent need for novel pharmacological treatment strategies for alcohol use disorder and the promising pre-clinical data on the effects of GLP-1-analogues on alcohol consumption, we suggest that clinical trials rigorously testing whether GLP-1 analogues will reduce alcohol consumption in alcohol use disorder patients should be carried out.

Keywords:

• Alcohol use disorder
• GLP-1
• Glucagon-like peptide-1

Disclosure of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Funding information

AFJ has received an unristricted research grant from Novo Nordisk.

TV has received lecture fees from Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Sanofi, and Zealand Pharma, and has been an advisory-board member for Amgen, Janssen, Novo Nordisk, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Takeda, and Bristol-Myers Squibb/AstraZeneca.