In the United States around 16 million people have alcohol use disorder(AUD). Furthermore, Fig. 1 shows alcohol dependence more commonly found in age group 18-24.
Alcohol consumption at uncontrolled rates is known as AUD. This is known to negatively affect the health of individuals in various ways. Specifically, in the brain it causes chemical changes called neuroplasticity. Unfortunately, a cure has not been developed to treat this condition suffered by millions of individuals.
A scientific experiment was carried out to gain a better understanding of alcohol's impact on a molecular pathway. In hopes to finding new information to develop and improve treatment to AUD.
In this experiment, the glucocorticoid gene Serum Glucocorticoid Kinase 1 (sgk1) was selected for further analysis due to its function in synaptic plasticity through regulating ion channels, learning & memory, and cell growth. Sgk1 is part of the Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis connecting the endocrine and nervous system.
Costin, et al. (2013) carried out a detailed study to to understand the consequences of ethanol consumption on Sgk1 via HPA axis.
