Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40722294›Full record

ReviewBrain sciences2025

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists: A New Frontier in Treating Alcohol Use Disorder.

Tyler S Oesterle, Ming-Fen Ho

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Brain sciences, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Tyler S OesterleDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-7363-8086
Ming-Fen HoDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.

Funding

Alcohol Use Disorder: Acamprosate Pharmacometabolomics-informed PharmacogenomicsR01AA027486 · NIAAA · MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER · PI Ming-Fen Ho, Richard M. Weinshilboum · 2018 to 2026
$4.0M
Single cell multi-omics of iPSC-derived brain organoids from patients with opioid use disorder: synthetic opioids as molecular probesR01DA057928 · NIDA · MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER · PI Ming-Fen Ho · 2023 to 2026
$1.7M
Acamprosate pharmacogenomics: iPSC based model of alcohol use disorderK01AA028050 · NIAAA · MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER · PI HO, MING-FEN · 2019 to 2024
$649k
NIAAA NIH HHS AA27486NIAAA NIH HHS AA28050NIAAA NIH HHS K01 AA028050NIAAA NIH HHS R01 AA027486NIDA NIH HHS DA57928NIDA NIH HHS R01 DA057928the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation 31329
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesGlucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), which were originally developed for managing type 2 diabetes by enhancing insulin secretion and reducing appetite, have emerged as promising candidates in alcohol use disorder (AUD). These medications offer a dual mechanism of action that aligns with the multifaceted nature of addiction by targeting both peripheral metabolic and central reward pathways. This review focused on the current clinical trials and real-world evidence regarding the effects of GLP-1RAs as novel therapeutics for AUD. We also discussed early but encouraging results from clinical trials in AUD, observational and real-world evidence, safety profiles, psychiatric considerations, and future directions leading beyond GLP-1RAs.

methodsA comprehensive English-language literature search was conducted per PRISMA guidelines across PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and trial registries. Using targeted keywords, we identified relevant clinical and observational studies on GLP-1RAs for alcohol use disorder, excluding off-topic or non-English works and assessing all studies for eligibility.

resultsOut of 1080 records identified, seven studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings from recent clinical trials, large-scale observational studies, and real-world evidence suggest that GLP-1RAs may significantly reduce alcohol consumption, cravings, and alcohol-related hospitalizations. Their central effect on reward processing, coupled with a generally favorable safety profile, supports their potential therapeutic role beyond metabolic disorders.

conclusionsEmerging evidence positions GLP-1RAs as a promising new pharmacologic approach for managing AUD. Ongoing and future research should prioritize larger, longer-duration randomized controlled trials that include diverse populations, with specific attention to treatment motivation, co-occurring psychiatric conditions, and long-term outcomes.

Indexed as

addictionAUDGLP-1GLP-1RAsubstance use disorder

Identifiers

PMID40722294
PMCPMC12293269

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.