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Brain Sciences
Special Issues
Molecular Mechanisms and Biomarkers of Substance Use Disorders
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Molecular Mechanisms and Biomarkers of Substance Use Disorders

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2025) | Viewed by 326

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ming-Fen Ho

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
Interests: substance use disorders; iPSC; multi-omics; single-cell sequencing; precision medicine; drug treatment response; biomarkers; craving; pharmacodynamics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are complex conditions involving genetic, environmental, and neurobiological factors. This Special Issue will explore the molecular mechanisms underlying SUDs and the discovery of biomarkers for diagnosis, treatment response, and prognosis. We invite submissions of original research, reviews, and clinical studies addressing the genetic, epigenetic, metabolomic and proteomic changes associated with addiction, as well as the identification of novel molecular targets and biomarkers that could advance precision medicine in addiction care. Our aim in this Special Issue is to enhance our understanding of SUDs and improve therapeutic strategies.

Dr. Ming-Fen Ho
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Brain Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • substance use disorders
  • biomarkers
  • multi-omics
  • molecular mechanisms
  • precision medicine

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

17 pages, 387 KiB  
Review
Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists: A New Frontier in Treating Alcohol Use Disorder
by Tyler S. Oesterle and Ming-Fen Ho
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(7), 702; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15070702 - 29 Jun 2025
Viewed by 90
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Glucagon-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 [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Glucagon-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. Methods: A 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. Results: Out 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. Conclusions: Emerging 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. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms and Biomarkers of Substance Use Disorders)
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