Rethinking Social Drinking: UT Health Science Center Researcher Explores Science Behind Social Influence on Alcohol Use – UTHSC News

Report on Neurobiological Research into Alcohol Use Disorder and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 3

Introduction: Addressing a Gap in Addiction Science for Global Health

A new research initiative, led by Dr. Brendan Tunstall at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, aims to address a critical gap in the study of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Supported by a $2.4 million award from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the project will investigate the neurobiological basis of social influence on alcohol consumption. This research directly supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, by seeking to improve the understanding and treatment of substance abuse.

Research Objectives and Contribution to SDG 3

The project, titled “Dissecting the Neurobiological Basis of Social Control over Alcohol Self-Administration,” focuses on the social context of alcohol use, a factor often overlooked in preclinical research. By exploring this dimension, the research directly contributes to SDG Target 3.5: “Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.”

• Primary Goal: To understand the brain mechanisms that govern how social settings either encourage or discourage alcohol consumption.
• Key Challenge: Preclinical research has not adequately captured the complexity of social interactions, which can range from peer pressure encouraging binge-drinking to social withdrawal signaling a worsening disorder.
• SDG Alignment: By identifying the biological basis for these behaviors, the project aims to provide foundational knowledge for developing more effective interventions, thereby strengthening treatment as mandated by SDG 3.

Methodology and Technical Approach

Dr. Tunstall’s laboratory will employ a multi-faceted approach to isolate the specific brain circuitry involved in social-context-dependent alcohol-seeking behavior. The methodology is designed to provide a comprehensive neurobiological picture.

1. Model Development: A rodent model will be established to systematically study alcohol use in both social and solitary settings, allowing for the manipulation of social variables.
2. Circuit Identification: A combination of classic pharmacology, neurohistochemistry, and advanced tools like optogenetics and CRISPR-Cas9 gene knockdown will be used to identify brain circuitry unique to social alcohol-seeking.
3. Neurochemical Analysis: The research will specifically investigate the role of the brain’s oxytocin system, a neuropeptide critical for social bonding, in modulating these neural processes.
4. Dependence Analysis: The study will also determine how the identified brain circuitry is altered by alcohol dependence.

Anticipated Outcomes and Impact on Global Health Goals

The project’s findings are expected to redefine scientific approaches to AUD and contribute significantly to public health strategies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

• Enhanced Understanding: The primary outcome will be a clearer understanding of the neurobiological interaction between social connection and alcohol use.
• New Treatment Pathways: This knowledge is intended to uncover novel pharmacological and social approaches to support recovery from AUD.
• Contribution to SDG 3: By providing a scientific basis for more effective treatments, the research will directly support the global effort to reduce the harm caused by alcohol abuse, a key component of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.
• Long-Term Vision: The ultimate goal is to leverage every available tool, informed by this research, to help individuals effectively manage problematic alcohol consumption and improve health outcomes worldwide.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article is fundamentally about health, specifically addressing the challenges of alcohol use disorder. Dr. Tunstall’s research aims to understand the neurobiological basis of this disorder to develop more effective treatments. The entire focus is on improving health outcomes for individuals suffering from addiction, which is a core component of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol. This target is directly addressed. The article details a $2.4 million research project funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, which is dedicated to understanding and ultimately treating “alcohol use disorder.” Dr. Tunstall explicitly states his hope that the “research can inform better pharmacological and social approaches to supporting recovery,” which aligns perfectly with strengthening the treatment of harmful alcohol use.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Development of new treatment approaches: The article implies a need for new indicators to measure the success of future treatments. Dr. Tunstall’s goal to “uncover new ways to help people get problem alcohol drinking behavior under control” suggests that the development and efficacy of “better pharmacological and social approaches” would be a key indicator of progress.
• Prevalence of alcohol-related social problems: The article mentions that “drinking despite the problems it causes with family or friends is a symptom that helps diagnose Alcohol Use Disorder.” This implies that a reduction in such social problems could serve as an indicator of successful intervention and treatment, measuring progress toward Target 3.5.
• Understanding of neurobiological mechanisms: The success of the research project itself, measured by the identification of “brain circuitry that is unique to alcohol-seeking behavior in social contexts,” can be seen as a process indicator. This foundational knowledge is a prerequisite for developing the targeted treatments mentioned in Target 3.5.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: news.uthsc.edu