BACKGROUND: A relationship between some hypothalamic-pituitary-related hormones and craving for alcohol has been suggested, leading to hypothesize a role of some hormones in the neurobiology of alcohol dependence. Investigating this association in alcohol-dependent (AD) patients was the aim of this preliminary and exploratory study. METHODS: Cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone, prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free T3, free T4, growth hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone as well as administering the Obsessive-Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS) and Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS) were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks in 25 current AD patients. Patients were treated with baclofen (10 mg t.i.d.) for these 12 weeks. Sixteen patients remained totally abstinent for 12 weeks. RESULTS: At baseline, a significant inverse correlation was found between TSH and PACS (r = -0.46; p = 0.022) and OCDS scores (r = -0.53; p = 0.007). A significant direct correlation was found between free T3 and OCDS score (r = 0.44; p = 0.026). In the 16 abstinent patients, craving scores were significantly decreased at 12 weeks (p < 0.01). At 12 weeks, no significant correlation was found between TSH and craving, but free T3 remained directly correlated with OCDS score (r = 0.60; p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: A relationship between alcohol craving and free T3 and TSH was demonstrated in AD patients, suggesting the potential involvement of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis in the neurobiology of alcohol craving.
BACKGROUND: A relationship between some hypothalamic-pituitary-related hormones and craving for alcohol has been suggested, leading to hypothesize a role of some hormones in the neurobiology of alcohol dependence. Investigating this association in alcohol-dependent (AD) patients was the aim of this preliminary and exploratory study. METHODS: Cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone, prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free T3, free T4, growth hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone as well as administering the Obsessive-Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS) and Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS) were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks in 25 current ADpatients. Patients were treated with baclofen (10 mg t.i.d.) for these 12 weeks. Sixteen patients remained totally abstinent for 12 weeks. RESULTS: At baseline, a significant inverse correlation was found between TSH and PACS (r = -0.46; p = 0.022) and OCDS scores (r = -0.53; p = 0.007). A significant direct correlation was found between free T3 and OCDS score (r = 0.44; p = 0.026). In the 16 abstinent patients, craving scores were significantly decreased at 12 weeks (p < 0.01). At 12 weeks, no significant correlation was found between TSH and craving, but free T3 remained directly correlated with OCDS score (r = 0.60; p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: A relationship between alcohol craving and free T3 and TSH was demonstrated in ADpatients, suggesting the potential involvement of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis in the neurobiology of alcohol craving.
Authors: Mary R Lee; Mehdi Farokhnia; Enoch Cobbina; Anitha Saravanakumar; Xiaobai Li; Jillian T Battista; Lisa A Farinelli; Fatemeh Akhlaghi; Lorenzo Leggio Journal: Neuropharmacology Date: 2019-09-23 Impact factor: 5.250
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Authors: P Huggins; C K Johnson; A Schoergendorfer; S Putta; A C Bathke; A J Stromberg; S R Voss Journal: Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol Date: 2011-03-30 Impact factor: 3.228
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