Title
Evidence for reduced dopamine D2 receptor sensitivity in postwithdrawal alcoholics
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Psychiatry
Publication Date
1995-12-01
Document Type
Article
Subjects
Administration, Oral; Adult; Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium; Alcoholism; Bromocriptine; Female; Growth Hormone; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Receptors, Dopamine D2; Reference Values
Disciplines
Psychiatry
Abstract
Dopamine D2 receptor sensitivity was assessed in the postwithdrawal period in alcoholics. Growth hormone (GH) responses to dopamine D2 agonist bromocriptine were measured in eight DSM-III-R alcohol-dependent subjects who were 2 weeks or more postalcohol withdrawal. Their responses were compared with eight nonalcoholic controls. After an overnight fast, each subject received 1.25 mg of bromocriptine orally, and serial samples of GH were taken over a 3-hr period. There was a significantly blunted delta GH response (mean +/- SE) in the alcoholic group, 2.3 mU/liter (+/- 1.4) relative to controls, 7.7 mU/liter (+/- 1.2) (t = 2.96, df = 14, p = 0.01). There was a significantly blunted peak GH response (mean +/- SE) in the alcoholic group, 5.36 mU/liter (+/- 2.1) relative to controls, 9.04 mU/liter (+/- 5.0). This difference also reached statistical significance (t = 2.32, df = 14, p = 0.035). A repeated-measures ANOVA yielded a significant within-subjects effect of time [F(4,54) = 4.08, p = 0.0057], a significant within-subjects effect of group [F(1,14) = 5.6, p = 0.0329], and an almost significant group x time interaction [F(4,54) = 2.45, p = 0.056]. This result implies a relative dopamine D2 receptor subsensitivity in alcoholics in the postwithdrawal period.
Source
Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 1995 Dec;19(6):1520-4.
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research
Related Resources
PubMed ID
8749820
Repository Citation
Farren CK, Clare AW, Ziedonis DM, Hammeedi FA, Dinan TG. (1995). Evidence for reduced dopamine D2 receptor sensitivity in postwithdrawal alcoholics. Psychiatry Publications. Retrieved from https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/psych_pp/168