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Study · Systematic review · 2025

3 results

A systematic review on the role of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on alcohol-related behaviors: potential therapeutic strategy for alcohol use disorder.

Zheng YJ, Soegiharto C, Au HCT, Valentino K, Le GH, Wong S, Teopiz KM, Rhee TG, Guillen-Burgos HF, Cao B, McIntyre RS

Acta neuropsychiatrica19 Feb 2025Cited by 21 (Europe PMC)

PMID39969054 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC13130248 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1017/neu.2025.6 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-39969054
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Summary

IntroductionExtant literature implicates the role of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) on modulating alcohol-associated behaviours, with a particular emphasis of these agents on neural circuits subserving reward and appetite control. Herein, we explore the potential effects of GLP-1RAs on alcohol-associated behaviours in brain regions implicated in reward processing facilitating the repurposing of these agents for the treatment and prevention of problematic drinking. Understanding how GLP-1's analogues interact with alcohol-related behaviours may underscore the development of therapeutic strategies for alcohol use disorder (AUD) and those with comorbid metabolic disorders.MethodsA systematic review was conducted, wherein relevant literature was identified through Web of Science, PubMed, and OVID (MedLINE, Embase, AMED, PsycInfo, JBI EBP) from database inception to October 27th, 2024. Preclinical and clinical studies examining the association between GLP-1RAs and alcohol-related behaviours were assessed.ResultsPreclinical studies (n = 19) indicate that GLP-1RAs attenuate alcohol-related behaviours, with exenatide demonstrating significant dose-dependent effects in high alcohol-consuming phenotypes. Semaglutide and liraglutide are associated with reduced alcohol intake, though their effects were often transient. In human studies (n = 2) with AUD, semaglutide significantly reduced alcohol consumption, while exenatide showed mixed results, with reductions in alcohol drinking within high BMI subpopulations.DiscussionExtant preclinical and clinical literature provides preliminary support for the potential therapeutic role of GLP-1RAs in attenuating alcohol consumption and preference. There is a need for large well controlled studies evaluating the effect of GLP-1RAs as a treatment strategy for behavioural modifications in individuals living with alcohol use disorder.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study3

3 results from studies that gave the peptide. 1 result from people.

  1. 01HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In reviewed human AUD studies, semaglutide significantly reduced alcohol consumption; the comparison reference and analyzed participant N were unstated.

    In plain wordsIn reviewed people with alcohol use disorder, semaglutide reduced alcohol consumption; the comparison was unspecified.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    DecreaseAlcohol consumption
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Addiction, withdrawal and alcohol intake · Mental health and mood
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    In human studies (n = 2) with AUD, semaglutide significantly reduced alcohol consumption, while exenatide showed mixed results, with reductions in alcohol drinking within high BMI subpopulations.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A systematic review was conducted, wherein relevant literature was identified through Web of Science, PubMed, and OVID (MedLINE, Embase, AMED, PsycInfo, JBI EBP) from database inception to October 27th, 2024.
    Summary · context
    Preclinical and clinical studies examining the association between GLP-1RAs and alcohol-related behaviours were assessed.
  2. 02AnimalOther designEfficacy outcome

    In preclinical studies, semaglutide was associated with reduced alcohol intake, although effects were often transient.

    In plain wordsIn preclinical studies, semaglutide was linked to lower alcohol intake, but effects were often temporary.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    DecreaseAlcohol intake
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Addiction, withdrawal and alcohol intake · Mental health and mood
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Semaglutide and liraglutide are associated with reduced alcohol intake, though their effects were often transient.
    3 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Preclinical studies (n = 19) indicate that GLP-1RAs attenuate alcohol-related behaviours, with exenatide demonstrating significant dose-dependent effects in high alcohol-consuming phenotypes.
    Summary · context
    A systematic review was conducted, wherein relevant literature was identified through Web of Science, PubMed, and OVID (MedLINE, Embase, AMED, PsycInfo, JBI EBP) from database inception to October 27th, 2024.
    Summary · context
    Preclinical and clinical studies examining the association between GLP-1RAs and alcohol-related behaviours were assessed.
  3. 03AnimalOther designEfficacy outcome

    In preclinical studies, liraglutide was associated with reduced alcohol intake, although effects were often transient.

    In plain wordsIn preclinical studies, liraglutide was linked to lower alcohol intake, but effects were often temporary.

    Peptide
    Liraglutide
    Outcome
    DecreaseAlcohol intake
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Addiction, withdrawal and alcohol intake · Mental health and mood
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Semaglutide and liraglutide are associated with reduced alcohol intake, though their effects were often transient.
    3 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Preclinical studies (n = 19) indicate that GLP-1RAs attenuate alcohol-related behaviours, with exenatide demonstrating significant dose-dependent effects in high alcohol-consuming phenotypes.
    Summary · context
    A systematic review was conducted, wherein relevant literature was identified through Web of Science, PubMed, and OVID (MedLINE, Embase, AMED, PsycInfo, JBI EBP) from database inception to October 27th, 2024.
    Summary · context
    Preclinical and clinical studies examining the association between GLP-1RAs and alcohol-related behaviours were assessed.

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.

  1. Version 3Current

    12 Oct 2026, 11:11 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 2

    9 Oct 2026, 03:06 UTC

    Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC

  3. 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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