Kirsten C Morley1, Jim Lagopoulos2, Warren Logge1, Andrew Baillie3, Claire Adams1, Paul S Haber1,4. 1. NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use, Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. 2. Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience-Thompson Institute, University of Sunshine Coast, Birtinya, Australia. 3. NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. 4. Drug Health Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Baclofen, a selective γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)B receptor agonist, has emerged as a potential treatment for alcohol use disorder with much unexplained variation in response to treatment efficacy and dose regimen. Several positive studies include patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and/or history of heavy drinking. The aim of this paper was to examine the association of cortical GABA+ concentration with severity of liver disease (including markers of liver injury) and other clinical characteristics in alcohol patients. METHODS:Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 H-MRS), from the parietal lobe, was analyzed to yield absolute concentration of GABA in 24 alcohol-dependent individuals. Diagnosis of ALD, markers of liver injury, severity of liver disease (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease [MELD]), and alcohol history were assessed. Covariates included concurrent medication, age, and recent alcohol consumption. RESULTS: Multiple linear regression revealed that GABA+ concentration was significantly predicted by MELD scores (F = 5.02, R2 = 0.59, P = 0.01; MELD: B = -0.63, P = 0.02), when controlling for covariates concurrent medication, age, and recent alcohol consumption. CONCLUSION: Severity of ALD is associated with lower cortical concentrations of GABA+. These results may explain variations in response to the GABAB agonist, baclofen, in the alcohol-dependent population.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Baclofen, a selective γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)B receptor agonist, has emerged as a potential treatment for alcohol use disorder with much unexplained variation in response to treatment efficacy and dose regimen. Several positive studies include patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and/or history of heavy drinking. The aim of this paper was to examine the association of cortical GABA+ concentration with severity of liver disease (including markers of liver injury) and other clinical characteristics in alcoholpatients. METHODS: Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 H-MRS), from the parietal lobe, was analyzed to yield absolute concentration of GABA in 24 alcohol-dependent individuals. Diagnosis of ALD, markers of liver injury, severity of liver disease (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease [MELD]), and alcohol history were assessed. Covariates included concurrent medication, age, and recent alcohol consumption. RESULTS: Multiple linear regression revealed that GABA+ concentration was significantly predicted by MELD scores (F = 5.02, R2 = 0.59, P = 0.01; MELD: B = -0.63, P = 0.02), when controlling for covariates concurrent medication, age, and recent alcohol consumption. CONCLUSION: Severity of ALD is associated with lower cortical concentrations of GABA+. These results may explain variations in response to the GABAB agonist, baclofen, in the alcohol-dependent population.