In:
European Psychiatry, Cambridge University Press (CUP), Vol. 25, No. S1 ( 2010), p. 1-1
Abstract:
Dopaminergic pathways are implicated in motivational aspects of substance use disorders, and might contribute to withdrawal phenomena, as well as an increased long-term risk of relapse. Molecular imaging with positron emission tomography (PET) revealed reductions in the availability of binding sites for D 2/3 receptor ligands in striatum of withdrawn abusers of cocaine; corresponding results in alcoholics have been inconsistent so far. In the present study, we used the D 2/3 ligand [ 18 F]fallypride to investigate dynamic changes in receptor availability in the striatum of patients with alcohol use disorder before and after undergoing a detoxification protocol. Methods 18 male patients (mean age 44±5.3y) with alcohol use disorder were recruited and scanned with 180MBq [ 18 F]fallypride upon hospital admission, and again 1-2 weeks later after detoxification. The control group consisted of 10 age-matched healthy volunteers. PET acquisition time was 180min, consisting of 39 frames of increasing duration. Within each group binding potentials (BP ND ) were calculated in the striatum using the cerebellum as reference. Results In the patients, the mean BP ND in whole striatum was 17.2±4.2 at baseline, with a trend towards a decline at follow-up. In addition there were inverse correlations of BP ND with age (r-0.45) and with daily alcohol consumption (r-0.2). The age-dependence of BP ND was less pronounced in healthy controls. However, mean striatal BP ND was only slightly lower in the patient group. No pronounced group differences were evident for extrastriatal [ 18 F]fallypride binding. Conclusions Regressions with age suggest an accelerated loss of dopamine D 2/3 receptors in the striatum of subjects with alcohol use disorder.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0924-9338
,
1778-3585
DOI:
10.1016/S0924-9338(10)71637-0
Language:
English
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publication Date:
2010
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2005377-0
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