BACKGROUND: An association between the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis and alcohol intake behavior is currently discussed. We examined the relationship between efficacy of pharmacological anticraving treatment and HPA axis activity in the relapse prevention treatment of alcoholism. METHODS: In 160 patients suffering from alcoholism, we measured plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol during placebo-controlled relapse prevention treatment with naltrexone and/or acamprosate. RESULTS: In the placebo group, ACTH and cortisol decreased during early abstinence. Treatment with naltrexone and acamprosate prevented this course. Increased ACTH and cortisol during treatment was associated with a reduced risk of relapse. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that heightened HPA responsiveness might contribute to relapse-preventing effects of anticraving compounds in alcoholism.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: An association between the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis and alcohol intake behavior is currently discussed. We examined the relationship between efficacy of pharmacological anticraving treatment and HPA axis activity in the relapse prevention treatment of alcoholism. METHODS: In 160 patients suffering from alcoholism, we measured plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol during placebo-controlled relapse prevention treatment with naltrexone and/or acamprosate. RESULTS: In the placebo group, ACTH and cortisol decreased during early abstinence. Treatment with naltrexone and acamprosate prevented this course. Increased ACTH and cortisol during treatment was associated with a reduced risk of relapse. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that heightened HPA responsiveness might contribute to relapse-preventing effects of anticraving compounds in alcoholism.
Authors: Tracy R Butler; Jennifer N Berry; Lynda J Sharrett-Field; James R Pauly; Mark A Prendergast Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2013-07-24 Impact factor: 3.455
Authors: A Vania Apkarian; Volker Neugebauer; George Koob; Scott Edwards; Jon D Levine; Luiz Ferrari; Mark Egli; Soundar Regunathan Journal: Pharmacol Biochem Behav Date: 2013-10-02 Impact factor: 3.533
Authors: Lara A Ray; James Mackillop; Lorenzo Leggio; Marilee Morgan; Kent E Hutchison Journal: Pharmacol Biochem Behav Date: 2008-09-13 Impact factor: 3.533