How a stroke could leave you craving alcohol

SUFFERING a stroke could increase cravings for alcohol, researchers have found.

Drinking is a risk factor for strokes – and patients are advised against it.

But damage to a specific part of the brain caused by a stroke appeared to increase a liking for booze.

Changes to the dorsal lateral striatum seemed to be linked to the effect, according to scientists at the Texas A&M College of Medicine. The researchers found rats who suffered strokes wanted to drink more alcohol, and believe a similar mechanism may occur in humans.

Ischemic strokes occur when an artery to the brain is blocked. After such an injury, the rats had a much lower overall fluid intake but an increased preference for alcohol over water when they did drink. The study, in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, found that the death of nerve cells in the dorsal lateral striatum excited D1 receptor cells – which respond to the stimulant dopamine.

Lead author, Dr Jun Wang said: ‘It is this increased excitement that we think is causing alcohol-seeking behaviour.’

When a drug was applied that blocked the D1 receptors, the rats no longer sought alcohol, Dr Wang said.