OBJECTIVE: Excessive exposure to glucocorticoids can have neurotoxic effects. The behavioral, cognitive, and neurochemical changes observed following the cessation of heavy drinking, therefore, may be associated with disturbances of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. To investigate HPA axis disturbances during the ethanol withdrawal syndrome, the authors examined diurnal changes in plasma cortisol in six alcohol-dependent men following the abrupt discontinuation of alcohol intake. METHOD: Plasma cortisol concentrations were quantified every 30 minutes for 24 hours in the early stage (1 day after cessation) and the middle to late stage (3 days after cessation) of the ethanol withdrawal syndrome as well as after the resolution of acute symptoms (8 days or more after cessation). RESULTS: Plasma cortisol concentrations were almost twice as high during acute withdrawal as they were following recovery. The duration of the cortisol diurnal cycle on the first day of withdrawal was negatively correlated with the severity of withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: There is a marked activation of the HPA axis associated with the ethanol withdrawal syndrome. The authors hypothesize that this activation may account for some of the signs and symptoms of acute and subacute withdrawal. They discuss the potential long-term physiological effects of the episodic increases in cortisol associated with repeated episodes of ethanol withdrawal. The alterations in cortisol rhythmicity during early withdrawal may also have clinical implications.
OBJECTIVE: Excessive exposure to glucocorticoids can have neurotoxic effects. The behavioral, cognitive, and neurochemical changes observed following the cessation of heavy drinking, therefore, may be associated with disturbances of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. To investigate HPA axis disturbances during the ethanolwithdrawal syndrome, the authors examined diurnal changes in plasma cortisol in six alcohol-dependent men following the abrupt discontinuation of alcohol intake. METHOD: Plasma cortisol concentrations were quantified every 30 minutes for 24 hours in the early stage (1 day after cessation) and the middle to late stage (3 days after cessation) of the ethanolwithdrawal syndrome as well as after the resolution of acute symptoms (8 days or more after cessation). RESULTS: Plasma cortisol concentrations were almost twice as high during acute withdrawal as they were following recovery. The duration of the cortisol diurnal cycle on the first day of withdrawal was negatively correlated with the severity of withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: There is a marked activation of the HPA axis associated with the ethanolwithdrawal syndrome. The authors hypothesize that this activation may account for some of the signs and symptoms of acute and subacute withdrawal. They discuss the potential long-term physiological effects of the episodic increases in cortisol associated with repeated episodes of ethanol withdrawal. The alterations in cortisol rhythmicity during early withdrawal may also have clinical implications.
Authors: William R Lovallo; Eldad Yechiam; Kristen H Sorocco; Andrea S Vincent; Frank L Collins Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2006-05 Impact factor: 3.455
Authors: George R Breese; Kathleen Chu; Christopher V Dayas; Douglas Funk; Darin J Knapp; George F Koob; Dzung Anh Lê; Laura E O'Dell; David H Overstreet; Amanda J Roberts; Rajita Sinha; Glenn R Valdez; Friedbert Weiss Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2005-02 Impact factor: 3.455
Authors: Christina L Ruby; Rebecca A Prosser; Marc A DePaul; Randy J Roberts; J David Glass Journal: Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol Date: 2008-12-10 Impact factor: 3.619
Authors: Rajita Sinha; Helen C Fox; Kwangik A Hong; Keri Bergquist; Zubin Bhagwagar; Kristen M Siedlarz Journal: Neuropsychopharmacology Date: 2008-06-18 Impact factor: 7.853