Morning Shows Discuss Potential Use of Nicotine-Addiction Drug in Treating Alcohol Dependence

As reported by the UCSF News Office on Monday, a new animal study shows that a drug already approved for nicotine addiction also curbs alcohol dependence. One dose alone cut drinking in half. The finding is particularly encouraging, the researchers say, because the animals did not turn to drinking in excess after the drug was stopped, a common pattern when people take current drugs to curb alcohol consumption. In addition, the drug did not kill appetite, which the most effective drug to curb alcohol dependence does. The research was published online this week by The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The study was led by Selena Bartlett, PhD, director of the Preclinical Development Group at the UCSF-affiliated Gallo Clinic and Research Center. Bartlett was interviewed for segments appearing this morning on both NBC's TODAY and ABC's Good Morning America. Related links: GMA Health Alert: Can New Pill Stop Drinking and Smoking? Good Morning America, ABC, July 11, 2007 Health Alert: Pill to Cure Addictions? TODAY, NBC, July 11, 2007 Anti-Smoking Pill May Help Curb Drinking ABC News, July 11, 2007 Drug to Curb Smoking Also Cuts Alcohol Dependence UCSF News Release, July 9, 2007