An experimental Alzheimer’s drug may also help reduce brain damage and inflammation associated with alcohol withdrawal, according to new research.

Scientists at the University of Kentucky studied a compound called MW150, originally developed to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. The drug targets a brain inflammation pathway known as p38α MAPK, which is believed to play a role in neuroinflammation linked to addiction and relapse.

In laboratory and animal-model experiments, MW150 was shown to reduce inflammatory markers during alcohol withdrawal. The findings were published in the journal *Alcohol* by researchers from the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging.

Researchers suggest that neuroinflammation may contribute to relapse risk and long-term brain damage in people with alcohol use disorder. By reducing this inflammation, MW150 could potentially help ease withdrawal symptoms and improve recovery outcomes.

According to study co-author Caleb Bailey, the results provide biological evidence that targeting brain inflammation may help reduce the harmful effects of alcohol withdrawal. He noted that alcohol use disorder remains difficult to treat due to high relapse rates, particularly during withdrawal periods.

MW150 and a related compound, Neflamapimod, are already being tested in clinical trials for neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. Researchers say this raises the possibility that the drugs could eventually be repurposed for alcohol-related conditions if further studies confirm their benefits.

However, the researchers emphasized important limitations. The current findings are based on cell and animal models, which cannot fully replicate the complexity of the human brain.

Experts not involved in the study said that while detox treatments are effective at preventing acute withdrawal complications, they do not address the underlying addiction. They suggested that anti-inflammatory therapies could potentially complement existing treatment approaches by improving brain health during early recovery.

Researchers also stressed that no level of alcohol consumption is considered safe from a medical perspective and that reducing alcohol intake remains the most effective way to prevent long-term harm.