The effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists on substance use disorder (SUD)-related behavioural effects of drugs and alcohol: A systematic review.

Brunchmann A, Thomsen M, Fink-Jensen A

Physiology & behavior1 Apr 2019Cited by 47 (Europe PMC)

PMID30946836PMCIDPMC6520118DOI10.1016/j.physbeh.2019.03.029PepBankPUB-30946836

Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: Publisher copyright. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study4

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Studies that did not test the peptide alone4

In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Liraglutide.

01AnimalNot a test of Liraglutide aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In rodent studies, acute treatment with pooled GLP-1 receptor agonists (including liraglutide) had a significant effect on substance use-related behaviours in all but one experiment.
In plain wordsIn rodent studies, GLP-1 drugs as a group, including liraglutide, acutely changed drug- and alcohol-related behaviour in nearly all experiments.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
Direction not reportedAcute effect on substance use disorder-related behaviours
Study
rodentsn: not reported in source
Rodent models of ethanol, cocaine, amphetamine and nicotine behavioural effects
Outcome group
Addiction, withdrawal and alcohol intake · Mental health and mood
Source sentences
Summary
Most studies investigated acute treatment effects, finding a significant effect in all but one experiment.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Seventeen studies were included, investigating the effect of the GLP-1-receptor agonists exendin-4, fluoro-exendin-4, liraglutide, AC3174 and GLP-1 (7-36) on SUD-related behavioural effects of ethanol, cocaine, amphetamine, and/or nicotine.
Summary · context
All studies used rodents as subjects.
In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.
Report a problemFND-3094683601
02AnimalNot a test of Liraglutide aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In rodent studies, the few studies of more chronic treatment with pooled GLP-1 receptor agonists (including liraglutide) on ethanol-related behaviour all reported sustained effects.
In plain wordsIn rodent studies of longer treatment, GLP-1 drugs as a group, including liraglutide, had lasting effects on alcohol-related behaviour.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
Direction not reportedSustained effects on substance use-related behaviours
Study
rodentsn: not reported in source
Rodent models of ethanol, cocaine, amphetamine and nicotine behavioural effects
Outcome group
Addiction, withdrawal and alcohol intake · Mental health and mood
Source sentences
Summary
All the studies reported sustained effects.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A few studies investigated more chronic effects on ethanol.
In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.
Report a problemFND-3094683602
03AnimalNot a test of Liraglutide aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In rodent studies that tested more than one dose, pooled GLP-1 receptor agonists (including liraglutide) showed a dose-related response in ten of thirteen experiments.
In plain wordsIn rodent studies, higher doses of GLP-1 drugs as a group, including liraglutide, gave larger effects in ten of thirteen experiments.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
Not applicableDose-related response in substance use-related behaviours
Study
rodentsn: not reported in source
Rodent models of ethanol, cocaine, amphetamine and nicotine behavioural effects
Outcome group
Addiction, withdrawal and alcohol intake · Mental health and mood
Source sentences
Summary
Eleven studies tested more than one dose, finding a dose-related response in ten out of thirteen experiments.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Seventeen studies were included, investigating the effect of the GLP-1-receptor agonists exendin-4, fluoro-exendin-4, liraglutide, AC3174 and GLP-1 (7-36) on SUD-related behavioural effects of ethanol, cocaine, amphetamine, and/or nicotine.
Summary · context
All studies used rodents as subjects.
In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.
Report a problemFND-3094683603
04AnimalNot a test of Liraglutide aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In six rodent studies, pooled GLP-1 receptor agonists (including liraglutide) showed a central effect through intra-cerebral administration or in mice with inactivated central GLP-1 receptors.
In plain wordsIn six rodent studies, GLP-1 drugs as a group, including liraglutide, acted through the brain.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
Not applicableCentral effect via intra-cerebral administration or inactivated central GLP-1 receptors
Study
rodentsn: not reported in source
Rodent models of ethanol, cocaine, amphetamine and nicotine behavioural effects
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Mental health and mood
Source sentences
Summary
Six studies report a central effect through intra-cerebral administration or by using mice in which the central GLP-1-receptors had been inactivated.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Seventeen studies were included, investigating the effect of the GLP-1-receptor agonists exendin-4, fluoro-exendin-4, liraglutide, AC3174 and GLP-1 (7-36) on SUD-related behavioural effects of ethanol, cocaine, amphetamine, and/or nicotine.
Summary · context
All studies used rodents as subjects.
In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.
Report a problemFND-3094683604

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
12 Oct 2026, 12:10 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:05 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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