Adrenocorticotropin and cortisol responses to ovine corticotropin-releasing factor in alcohol dependence disorder. Preliminary report.
A 100-micrograms bolus of synthetic ovine corticotropin-releasing factor was administered intravenously to 10 nondepressed inpatients suffering from an alcohol dependence disorder. The test was performed during withdrawal and after 4 weeks of abstinence. During withdrawal, the plasma cortisol responses of alcoholic patients and 7 control subjects were similar, except for an earlier decrease of cortisol in the former group. However, after 4 weeks of abstinence, the cortisol response was significantly lower in alcoholic patients than in controls. These abnormalities observed during discontinuance of alcohol consumption may reflect adaptive mechanisms of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity which may be previously altered by chronic alcohol intoxication.
Bailly
D
D
Psychopathology and Alcohology Unit, University Hospital of Lille, France.
Dewailly
D
D
Beuscart
R
R
Couplet
G
G
Dumont
P
P
Racadot
A
A
Fossati
P
P
Parquet
P J
PJ
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone