D-fenfluramine-induced prolactin responses in postwithdrawal alcoholics and controls.
Serum prolactin response to the serotonin agonist D-fenfluramine were measured in 19 DSM-111-R male alcoholics, 2.5 or more weeks postalcohol withdrawal. Prolactin responses were compared with nine healthy nonalcoholic male controls. After an overnight fast, each subject received 30 mg of D-fenfluramine orally, and serial samples of serum prolactin were taken over a 4-hr period. D-fenfluramine caused a significantly attenuated peak delta-prolactin response in the alcoholics relative to the controls (p = 0.05). A repeated-measures ANOVA of delta-prolactin yielded a significant within-subjects effect of time (p < 0.05), a within-subjects effect of group that reached significance (p = 0.05), and a nonsignificant group by time interaction. The delta-prolactin value at time points 60 and 240 min postadministration of the probe was significantly attenuated in the alcoholic group, with p < 0.05. There was also some evidence for a diminished serotonergic response in those alcoholics with a negative family history. The delta-prolactin response did not correlate with subjects' age, duration of alcohol use, duration of abstinence from alcohol, severity of alcohol dependence, or age of onset. Results imply a relative subsensitivity of the serotonin system in postwithdrawal alcoholics, and this may be primarily of the 5-HT2 receptor.
Farren
C K
CK
Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College, St. Patrick's Hosptial, Dublin, Ireland.
Ziedonis
D
D
Clare
A W
AW
Hammeedi
F A
FA
Dinan
T G
TG
D000328:Adult; D000430:Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005277:Fenfluramine; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D013695:Temperance
D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D005277:Fenfluramine; D011388:Prolactin