First alcoholism vaccine to begin preclinical trials

CHILE - Testing on a vaccine for alcoholism is about to begin in Chile.

Researchers at the University of Chile will begin preclinical trials in February, according to the Santiago Times.

Dr. Juan Asenjo, director of the Institute for Cell Dynamics and Biotechnology at Universidad de Chile, thinks that although the vaccine is not a cure-all, it could provide an important first step, according to the Santiago Times.

“People who end up alcoholic have a social problem; a personality problem because they’re shy, whatever, and then they are depressed, so it’s not so simple,” Asenjo said to the Santiago Times. “But if we can solve the chemical, the basic part of the problem, I think it could help quite a bit.”

The vaccine would deliver a medically induced hangover if the patient takes one sip of alcohol.

The patient would experience the typical hangover symptoms; a rapid pulse, sweating and nausea.

So far there has not been a working vaccine to treat the pattern of drinking, according to the Santiago Times.