Alteration in dopaminergic function in abstinent alcoholics.

In order to evaluate the tuberoinfundibular endogenous dopaminergic tone in alcoholic subjects, the inhibitory effect of an infusion of dopamine (3 micrograms/kg/min for 2 h) on PRL secretion was tested in 11 alcoholics after 4 weeks of abstinence. On different days alcoholics were tested with TRH to evaluate possible alterations in the PRL pituitary reserve. Age-matched normal men participated as controls. In addition, the status of cerebral structures, such as the frontal-subcortical area, where dopamine plays an important role as neurotransmitter, was evaluated in all subjects by radiological (CT scan) and functional (neuropsychological tests) studies. The PRL response to TRH was similar in the two groups. In contrast, dopamine-induced PRL decrement was significantly lighter in alcoholics than in controls. Neuroradiological and neuropsychological parameters were abnormal in alcoholics. These data suggest an alteration in dopaminergic activity involving the tuberoinfundibular and probably the fronto-subcortical system in 4 weeks abstinent alcoholics.