INTRODUCTION:Acamprosate and naltrexone have been shown to be effective in relapse prevention of alcoholism. It is hypothesized that naltrexone exerts its effects primarily on cue-induced craving and neuroendocrine cue reactivity, whereas acamprosate exerts its effect primarily on autonomic nervous system reactions to alcohol-related cues. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES: In a randomized double-blind experiment, 131 abstinent alcoholics received either acamprosate (n=56), naltrexone (n=52) or placebo (n=23) for three weeks and participated in two cue-exposure sessions: the first the day before and the second at the last day of medication. RESULTS: Consistent with the hypotheses, naltrexone reduced craving more than acamprosate, and acamprosate reduced heart rate more than naltrexone. No medication effect was found on cue-induced cortisol. DISCUSSION: The findings provide some evidence for differential effects of naltrexone and acamprosate: naltrexone may exert its effect, at least partly, by the reduction of cue-induced craving, whereas acamprosate may exert its effect, at least partly, by the reduction of autonomic nervous system reactions to alcohol-related cues.
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INTRODUCTION:Acamprosate and naltrexone have been shown to be effective in relapse prevention of alcoholism. It is hypothesized that naltrexone exerts its effects primarily on cue-induced craving and neuroendocrine cue reactivity, whereas acamprosate exerts its effect primarily on autonomic nervous system reactions to alcohol-related cues. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES: In a randomized double-blind experiment, 131 abstinent alcoholics received either acamprosate (n=56), naltrexone (n=52) or placebo (n=23) for three weeks and participated in two cue-exposure sessions: the first the day before and the second at the last day of medication. RESULTS: Consistent with the hypotheses, naltrexone reduced craving more than acamprosate, and acamprosate reduced heart rate more than naltrexone. No medication effect was found on cue-induced cortisol. DISCUSSION: The findings provide some evidence for differential effects of naltrexone and acamprosate: naltrexone may exert its effect, at least partly, by the reduction of cue-induced craving, whereas acamprosate may exert its effect, at least partly, by the reduction of autonomic nervous system reactions to alcohol-related cues.
Authors: John C Umhau; Melanie L Schwandt; Julie Usala; Christopher Geyer; Erick Singley; David T George; Markus Heilig Journal: Neuropsychopharmacology Date: 2011-02-02 Impact factor: 7.853
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