Ozempic等GLP-1激动剂除了减弱饥饿感外，还能降低对酒精和其他成瘾物质的渴望[1]。科学家发现，这一效应与大脑外侧隔膜区域密切相关[1]。该区域富含GLP-1受体，可能作为思考奖赏与追求奖赏之间的关键控制点[1]。
外侧隔膜从海马体接收主要输入，包含对奖赏强烈反应的位置细胞，与多巴胺产生区域共享信息[1]。研究表明，GLP-1在外侧隔膜的直接激活能减少小鼠进食[1]，年初另一项研究显示其对酒精消耗同样有效[1]。人类研究证实GLP-1激动剂能减少酒精消耗[1]，动物研究则表明可减少可卡因、苯丙胺、阿片类药物和尼古丁的使用[1]。这一发现为治疗成瘾和肥胖症开辟了新的途径[1]。
Researchers have discovered that GLP-1 agonist medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy reduce not only hunger but also cravings for alcohol and other addictive substances by acting on a specific brain region [1]. The lateral septum, which contains abundant GLP-1 receptors, appears to function as a critical control point between thinking about rewards and pursuing them [1]. This finding opens new avenues for treating both addiction and obesity.
The lateral septum receives major inputs from the hippocampus and contains place cells that respond strongly to rewards, while also sharing information with dopamine-producing regions [1]. Recent studies have shown that direct GLP-1 activation in the lateral septum reduces food intake in mice, with parallel research earlier this year demonstrating the same effect on alcohol consumption [1]. Human studies indicate that GLP-1 agonists decrease alcohol consumption, while animal research has documented reduced use of cocaine, amphetamine, opioids, and nicotine [1]. These medications, originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, have gained attention for their significant weight-loss effects, which in some cases approach the outcomes achieved through bariatric surgery [1].