AIMS: Despite substantial preclinical evidence that supports the involvement of noradrenergic (NA) and serotonergic (5-HT) mechanisms in alcohol withdrawal, human data remain inconsistent. We examined whether plasma levels of NA and 5-HT were altered during alcohol withdrawal and whether these measures were related to craving. We also explored whether alterations in NA and 5-HT activity differ between type I and type II alcohol-dependent patients during withdrawal. METHODS: Plasma measurements of NA and 5-HT and assessments of craving were performed longitudinally in 26 Caucasian alcohol-dependent men who were hospitalized for detoxification, at baseline (day 0), and on the 1st, 7th and 14th days of withdrawal. These measures were compared with NA and 5-HT levels obtained in 28 controls. RESULTS: During withdrawal, NA levels declined significantly from day 1 through day 14, whereas 5-HT levels and craving declined significantly from day 0 through day 14. The NA levels on days 0 and 1 of withdrawal were significantly higher than those in controls; however, by day 7 the NA levels were similar to the control values. In contrast, the 5-HT levels on day 0 of withdrawal resembled control values; however, the 5-HT concentrations on days 1, 7 and 14 were significantly lower than those in controls. There were no significant correlations between NA and 5-HT levels or between craving and the biological measures during withdrawal. Type I and type II patients did not differ in NA or 5-HT levels during withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that both plasma NA and 5-HT levels change during withdrawal; however, the pattern of change is different for the two measures. Also, while alterations in NA activity appear to normalize by late withdrawal, 5-HT changes seem to be more persistent. Neither craving nor subtypes of alcoholism seem to be related to alterations in NA or 5-HT during withdrawal.
AIMS: Despite substantial preclinical evidence that supports the involvement of noradrenergic (NA) and serotonergic (5-HT) mechanisms in alcohol withdrawal, human data remain inconsistent. We examined whether plasma levels of NA and 5-HT were altered during alcohol withdrawal and whether these measures were related to craving. We also explored whether alterations in NA and 5-HT activity differ between type I and type IIalcohol-dependent patients during withdrawal. METHODS: Plasma measurements of NA and 5-HT and assessments of craving were performed longitudinally in 26 Caucasian alcohol-dependent men who were hospitalized for detoxification, at baseline (day 0), and on the 1st, 7th and 14th days of withdrawal. These measures were compared with NA and 5-HT levels obtained in 28 controls. RESULTS: During withdrawal, NA levels declined significantly from day 1 through day 14, whereas 5-HT levels and craving declined significantly from day 0 through day 14. The NA levels on days 0 and 1 of withdrawal were significantly higher than those in controls; however, by day 7 the NA levels were similar to the control values. In contrast, the 5-HT levels on day 0 of withdrawal resembled control values; however, the 5-HT concentrations on days 1, 7 and 14 were significantly lower than those in controls. There were no significant correlations between NA and 5-HT levels or between craving and the biological measures during withdrawal. Type I and type IIpatients did not differ in NA or 5-HT levels during withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that both plasma NA and 5-HT levels change during withdrawal; however, the pattern of change is different for the two measures. Also, while alterations in NA activity appear to normalize by late withdrawal, 5-HT changes seem to be more persistent. Neither craving nor subtypes of alcoholism seem to be related to alterations in NA or 5-HT during withdrawal.
Authors: Tracy L Simpson; Carol A Malte; Bergetta Dietel; Dana Tell; Ian Pocock; Robert Lyons; Dana Varon; Murray Raskind; Andrew J Saxon Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2015-04-01 Impact factor: 3.455
Authors: Helen C Fox; George M Anderson; Keri Tuit; Julie Hansen; Anne Kimmerling; Kristen M Siedlarz; Peter T Morgan; Rajita Sinha Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2011-09-15 Impact factor: 3.455
Authors: Claire E Wilcox; J Scott Tonigan; Michael P Bogenschutz; Joshua Clifford; Rose Bigelow; Tracy Simpson Journal: J Addict Med Date: 2018 Sep/Oct Impact factor: 3.702
Authors: Sudie E Back; Julianne C Flanagan; Jennifer L Jones; Isabel Augur; Alan L Peterson; Stacey Young-McCaughan; David W Shirley; Aisling Henschel; Jane E Joseph; Brett T Litz; Allison K Hancock; John D Roache; Jim Mintz; Jennifer S Wachen; Terence M Keane; Kathleen T Brady Journal: Contemp Clin Trials Date: 2018-08-24 Impact factor: 2.226