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Study Reveals Brain's Role in Alcohol Dependence and Quitting

10/12/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Friedbert Weiss, lead author at Scripps Research, reports that the brain adapts to alcohol use, creating a quitting barrier.
The study finds active cells in the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus linking drinking to relief from withdrawal.
Researchers say negative reinforcement, not just pleasure, helps maintain alcohol dependence.
Published in Biological Psychiatry: Global Open Science, the work points to potential new treatments for 14.5 million U.S. cases.

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Story summary

Friedbert Weiss, lead author at Scripps Research, reports that the brain adapts to alcohol use, creating a quitting barrier.
The study finds active cells in the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus linking drinking to relief from withdrawal.
Researchers say negative reinforcement, not just pleasure, helps maintain alcohol dependence.
Published in Biological Psychiatry: Global Open Science, the work points to potential new treatments for 14.5 million U.S. cases.