Review of neurotransmitters and their role in alcoholism treatment.

Studies on the genetic basis of addiction indicate that the tendency to develop alcoholism is inherited. In addition, alcoholism appears to be associated with a specific neurochemical disorder. Research has focused on the mesolimbic system, which is associated with the ability to feel pleasure (i.e. hypothalamic control centres are related to daily survival activities, and the medial forebrain bundle is involved in the positive reinforcement of addictive drugs). Current findings support the hypothesis that a neurochemical deficiency causes alcohol-dependent individuals to drink. Thus, pharmacotherapy may play an important part in treating those who are not helped by psychosocial therapy alone. Future therapies may include agents that block, enhance, or normalize neurotransmitter function as well as genetically engineered agents that could target a specific cause of alcoholism.