Response of ACTH and cortisol to human corticotropin-releasing hormone after short-term abstention from alcohol abuse.
The authors administered 100 micrograms human corticotropin-releasing hormone (h-CRH) to alcohol-dependent subjects after short-term abstention from alcohol abuse and observed that these patients released significantly less adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) than a control group. Cortisol responses were also blunted, but this effect was less pronounced. These findings indicate that hypercortisolism in alcohol withdrawal is driven by a central neurotransmitter/receptor disturbance rather than by peripheral alterations.
Heuser
I
I
Department of Psychiatry, University of Mainz, West Germany.
von Bardeleben
U
U
Boll
E
E
Holsboer
F
F
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013695:Temperance
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone