PURPOSE: Studies investigating temperament traits of drug abusers and their biological correlates have disclosed high rates of novelty seeking (NS) in opiate addicts, possibly based on dysfunctions of the dopaminergic (DA) system. The aims of the present study were to see whether or not the monoamine functions were impaired in detoxified addicts and whether or not these alterations were correlated with temperament traits, given the possibility that impairment of the biological and temperament parameters might be responsible for the development of addiction. METHODS: We have investigated the DA, serotonergic (5-HT), and noradrenergic (NE) functions in 22 abstinent heroin addicts and 22 healthy controls by challenging the monoamine systems with the DA agonist bromocriptine (brom), the 5-HT agonist D-fenfluramine (D-fen), and the NE agonist clonidine (clon), respectively. We examined the temperament traits by measuring NS, harm avoidance (HA), and reward dependence (RD) using the "Three-Dimensional Personality Questionnaire" (TPQ). RESULTS: Addicts showed higher than normal NS scores at TPQ blunted 5-HT function, and normal DA and NE activities, in response to the neuroendocrine challenges. NS correlated negatively with the DA function in both addicts and controls, and negatively with the 5-HT function only in addicts. HA correlated positively with 5-HT function in controls but not in addicts. IMPLICATIONS: The impairment in 5-HT function observed in heroin addicts and the changes in the biological correlates of temperamental traits could increase the proneness to addiction and possible comorbid psychiatric disorders.
PURPOSE: Studies investigating temperament traits of drug abusers and their biological correlates have disclosed high rates of novelty seeking (NS) in opiate addicts, possibly based on dysfunctions of the dopaminergic (DA) system. The aims of the present study were to see whether or not the monoamine functions were impaired in detoxified addicts and whether or not these alterations were correlated with temperament traits, given the possibility that impairment of the biological and temperament parameters might be responsible for the development of addiction. METHODS: We have investigated the DA, serotonergic (5-HT), and noradrenergic (NE) functions in 22 abstinent heroin addicts and 22 healthy controls by challenging the monoamine systems with the DA agonist bromocriptine (brom), the 5-HT agonist D-fenfluramine (D-fen), and the NE agonist clonidine (clon), respectively. We examined the temperament traits by measuring NS, harm avoidance (HA), and reward dependence (RD) using the "Three-Dimensional Personality Questionnaire" (TPQ). RESULTS: Addicts showed higher than normal NS scores at TPQ blunted 5-HT function, and normal DA and NE activities, in response to the neuroendocrine challenges. NS correlated negatively with the DA function in both addicts and controls, and negatively with the 5-HT function only in addicts. HA correlated positively with 5-HT function in controls but not in addicts. IMPLICATIONS: The impairment in 5-HT function observed in heroin addicts and the changes in the biological correlates of temperamental traits could increase the proneness to addiction and possible comorbid psychiatric disorders.
Authors: Matthew Randesi; Wim van den Brink; Orna Levran; Peter Blanken; Jan M van Ree; Jurg Ott; Mary Jeanne Kreek Journal: Pharmacogenomics Date: 2019-04-15 Impact factor: 2.533
Authors: Hiroki Ishiguro; Frank S Hall; Yasue Horiuchi; Takeshi Sakurai; Akitoyo Hishimoto; Martin Grumet; George R Uhl; Emmanuel S Onaivi; Tadao Arinami Journal: Addict Biol Date: 2012-07-11 Impact factor: 4.280
Authors: G Gerra; C Leonardi; E Cortese; A Zaimovic; G Dell'agnello; M Manfredini; L Somaini; F Petracca; V Caretti; M A Saracino; M A Raggi; C Donnini Journal: J Neural Transm (Vienna) Date: 2007-08-10 Impact factor: 3.575