title: Alcohol consumption, ACTH level, and family history of alcoholism.
abstract: Plasma levels of ACTH were evaluated in 18 sons of alcoholics and 18 sons of nonalcoholics before and after they consumed placebo, 0.75 ml/kg of ethanol, and 1.1 ml/kg of ethanol. The analyses revealed significant changes in ACTH levels over time, an effect of ethanol on ACTH overall, and significantly lower ACTH levels in the sons of alcoholics than in the control subjects following the high-dose ethanol challenge. The data corroborate the earlier finding that sons of alcoholics have less intense responses to ethanol and are consistent with the conclusion that changes in cortisol level associated with drinking include a pituitary response as well as effects on the adrenal glands.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Schuckit
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Risch
authors.forename: E O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Gold
mesh_terms: D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D015415:Biomarkers; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010919:Placebos; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010919:Placebos; D000431:Ethanol; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone