Study of Transcutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation as a Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major health problem in the United States, often attributed to factors impacting the mesolimbic and cortico-striatal systems in the brain. Currently, there is a pressing need for the development of both therapeutic interventions and effective biomarkers for alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) and alcohol- related psychiatric symptoms. One promising non-pharmacological approach is transcutaneous auricular neurostimulation (tAN), a non- invasive neurostimulation technique that stimulates neurotransmitter systems. tAN combines vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS). Our study has shown that tAN is a safe and effective non-invasive treatment for reducing substance withdrawal symptoms, particularly those from opioids, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic tool for improving AWS. The aim is to lower a patient’s desire for alcohol use and lessen the chance of relapse. Furthermore, another promising avenue is the integration of neuroimaging with clinical outcomes, aiming to establish an fMRI-based objective biomarker for AUD. Incorporating tAN into this framework allows us to go beyond mere biomarker development, offering a unique and quantifiable therapeutic strategy. The proposed research endeavors to comprehensively investigate the efficacy of tAN as a treatment for AWS and the development of neuroimaging biomarkers in patients with AUD. This research initiative aims to provide a comprehensive clinical package, offering a valuable therapeutic tool. Ultimately, this work not only advances the application of tAN in clinical settings but also contributes significantly to the broader field of translational medical research.