Implications of Kynurenine Pathway Metabolism for the Immune System, Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis, and Neurotransmission in Alcohol Use Disorder

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a marked increase in interest in the role of the kynurenine pathway (KP) in mechanisms associated with addictive behavior. Numerous reports implicate KP metabolism in influencing the immune system, hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, and neurotransmission, which underlie the behavioral patterns characteristic of addiction. An in-depth analysis of the results of these new studies highlights interesting patterns of relationships, and approaching alcohol use disorder (AUD) from a broader neuroendocrine–immune system perspective may be crucial to better understanding this complex phenomenon. In this review, we provide an up-to-date summary of information indicating the relationship between AUD and the KP, both in terms of changes in the activity of this pathway and modulation of this pathway as a possible pharmacological approach for the treatment of AUD.

Keywords

• alcohol use disorder
• kynurenine pathway
• immune system
• hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis