Publications by authors named "R Momenan"
BACKGROUNDStudies have demonstrated the role of ghrelin in alcohol-related behaviors and consumption. Blockade of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), which is the ghrelin receptor, has been shown to decrease alcohol drinking and reward-related behaviors across several animal models. We previously conducted a human study testing a GHSR inverse agonist/competitive antagonist, PF-5190457, in individuals who are heavy drinkers and showed its safety when coadministered with alcohol.
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- Alcohol and nicotine interact with the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor system, influencing reward responses and leading to increased co-use and misuse of these substances.
- A specific genetic variation (rs16969968) in the CHRNA5 gene is strongly linked to nicotine effects, but its role in alcohol consumption is less understood.
- In a study with 980 participants, smokers reported higher alcohol use, and those with the GG genotype consumed more alcohol than those with the AA/AG genotypes, suggesting that this genetic variant may partly protect against alcohol misuse by influencing negative expectations about drinking.
Article Synopsis
- Scientists studied how people think about right and wrong (morality) and how it can be messed up in people with alcohol problems.
- *They found that when people with alcohol use disorder look at moral things while also seeing alcohol images, their brains don’t work as well in areas that help them understand morality.
- *The research could help us understand why people with alcohol issues might struggle with moral decisions and could lead to new ways to help them and reduce negative stereotypes.
The gut-brain axis in individuals with alcohol use disorder: An exploratory study of associations among clinical symptoms, brain morphometry, and the gut microbiome.
Alcohol Clin Exp Res (Hoboken)
July 2024
Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is commonly associated with distressing psychological symptoms. Pathologic changes associated with AUD have been described in both the gut microbiome and brain, but the mechanisms underlying gut-brain signaling in individuals with AUD are unknown. This study examined associations among the gut microbiome, brain morphometry, and clinical symptoms in treatment-seeking individuals with AUD.
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- - The study investigates the links between olfactory dysfunction (specifically parosmia and phantosmia), problematic drinking, and depressive symptoms in individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).
- - Results indicate that 5.2% of participants experienced parosmia, linked to increased problematic drinking, while 4.4% reported phantosmia, associated with heightened depression symptoms.
- - The findings suggest a significant correlation between smell impairments and mental health issues in AUD cases, emphasizing the need for further research and assessment of olfactory deficits in clinical settings.