Molecular targets of action of innovative anticonvulsant Galodif in therapy of alcohol dependence

Alcohol causes neuroplastic changes in benzodiazepine receptors, modulating GABA-receptors (GABAaR), which support alcohol addiction. The study of the properties of benzodiazepine receptors (BDR) in the brains of Wistar rats with different preferences for alcohol shows that the affinity of binding of [3H] flunitrazepam and [3H] Ro5-4864 in membrane fractions is reduced, and the density of specific bindings it is increased in the cerebral cortex of “multi- and “low-drinking” rats in comparison with “rejecting” ethanol animals. The introduction of an anticonvulsant meta-chloro-benzhydrylurea (galodif) increases the affinity of benzodiazepine receptors in the cerebral cortexin of “multi-drinking” rats, which leads to an increase in GABA neurotransmission in the brain of these animals, causing a decrease in alcohol consumption. Galodif reduces the expression of BDR plasma membranes of blood platelets in patients with alcoholism to the level of control values. The use of anticonvulsant drugs that affect the target of alcohol - BDR, and in particular galodif, can provide a new pharmacotherapeutic approach to prevention and treatment of this disease.