Elizabeth Hardin1, Bryon Adinoff. 1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas 75390-8564, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Early abstinence in alcohol-dependent subjects is marked by adrenocortical hyporesponsivity. However, it is uncertain whether the blunted response is primarily attributable to a genetic vulnerability or to the chronic abuse of alcohol. In the present study, the authors investigated the influence of a family history (FH) of alcoholism upon suppressed glucocorticoid reactivity. METHODS: Twenty-two abstinent alcohol-dependent and 14 control men were studied. The cortisol response was assessed in 11 patients following oCRH infusion (.4 ug/kg) and in a separate group of 11 patients following cosyntropin infusion (.01 ug/kg) preceded by high-dose intravenous dexamethasone (8 mg). FH, as determined by self-report, was assessed using two different methods: history of parental alcoholism and number of alcohol-dependent first- and second-degree relatives. RESULTS: Neither a parental history or familial loading of alcoholism had a significant effect upon glucocorticoid responsivity in abstinent alcohol-dependent men. CONCLUSIONS: Adrenocorticol responsiveness in recently abstinent alcohol-dependent men does not appear to reflect a preexisting biologic vulnerability to alcoholism.
BACKGROUND: Early abstinence in alcohol-dependent subjects is marked by adrenocortical hyporesponsivity. However, it is uncertain whether the blunted response is primarily attributable to a genetic vulnerability or to the chronic abuse of alcohol. In the present study, the authors investigated the influence of a family history (FH) of alcoholism upon suppressed glucocorticoid reactivity. METHODS: Twenty-two abstinent alcohol-dependent and 14 control men were studied. The cortisol response was assessed in 11 patients following oCRH infusion (.4 ug/kg) and in a separate group of 11 patients following cosyntropin infusion (.01 ug/kg) preceded by high-dose intravenous dexamethasone (8 mg). FH, as determined by self-report, was assessed using two different methods: history of parental alcoholism and number of alcohol-dependent first- and second-degree relatives. RESULTS: Neither a parental history or familial loading of alcoholism had a significant effect upon glucocorticoid responsivity in abstinent alcohol-dependent men. CONCLUSIONS: Adrenocorticol responsiveness in recently abstinent alcohol-dependent men does not appear to reflect a preexisting biologic vulnerability to alcoholism.
Authors: Paul A. Keedwell; Lucia Poon; Andrew S. Papadopoulos; E. Jane Marshall; Stuart A. Checkley Journal: Addict Biol Date: 2001-07 Impact factor: 4.280
Authors: B Adinoff; D Risher-Flowers; J De Jong; B Ravitz; G H Bone; D J Nutt; L Roehrich; P R Martin; M Linnoila Journal: Am J Psychiatry Date: 1991-08 Impact factor: 18.112
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