Memantine reduces alcohol drinking but not relapse in alcohol-dependent rats.

Alcoholism is a chronic relapsing disorder with consequences on health and that requires more effective treatments. Among alternative therapies, the therapeutic potential of the non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist memantine has been suggested. Despite promising results, its efficiency in the treatment of alcoholism remains controversial.

The histone deacetylase inhibitor sodium butyrate decreases excessive ethanol intake in dependent animals.

Converging evidence indicates that epigenetic mechanisms are involved in drug addiction, and that enzymes involved in chromatin remodeling may represent interesting targets in addiction treatment. No study has addressed whether histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors (HDACi) can reduce excessive ethanol intake or prevent relapse in alcohol-dependent animals. Here, we assessed the effects of two HDACi, sodium butyrate (NaB) and MS-275, in the operant ethanol self-administration paradigm in dependent and non-dependent rats.

Attitudes toward alcoholism among Italian future teachers and health professionals.

Attitudes toward alcoholism were investigated in an Italian population of 401 future teachers and health professionals. The results were compared to data obtained from comparable individuals (students) previously interviewed in the United States and in Australia. In Italy, alcoholism is mainly considered a 'medical illness' caused by 'moral weakness'.