Alpha-2-adrenoceptor function in alcohol withdrawal: a pilot study of the effects of iv. clonidine in alcoholics and normals.
Central alpha-2-adrenoceptor function was studied in seven withdrawing alcoholics and compared with seven normal controls using the clonidine challenge test. The alcoholic group had significantly elevated basal levels of blood pressure and plasma 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenyl glycol. The percentage of fall in blood pressure produced by clonidine was blunted in the alcoholics. There was disruption of the neuroendocrine effects of clonidine on growth hormone release. Physiological indices of withdrawal, in particular plasma 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl glycol and blood pressure correlated with measures of previous withdrawal experiences, supporting the idea that kindling might occur with repeated episodes of withdrawal.
Nutt
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D
University Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Glue
P
P
Molyneux
S
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Clark
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E
D000328:Adult; D000430:Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003000:Clonidine; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000097:blood; D011604:Psychoses, Alcoholic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000502:physiology*
D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D013006:Growth Hormone; D003000:Clonidine