Alteration in dopaminergic function in abstinent alcoholics.
In order to evaluate the tuberoinfundibular endogenous dopaminergic tone in alcoholic subjects, the inhibitory effect of an infusion of dopamine (3 micrograms/kg/min for 2 h) on PRL secretion was tested in 11 alcoholics after 4 weeks of abstinence. On different days alcoholics were tested with TRH to evaluate possible alterations in the PRL pituitary reserve. Age-matched normal men participated as controls. In addition, the status of cerebral structures, such as the frontal-subcortical area, where dopamine plays an important role as neurotransmitter, was evaluated in all subjects by radiological (CT scan) and functional (neuropsychological tests) studies. The PRL response to TRH was similar in the two groups. In contrast, dopamine-induced PRL decrement was significantly lighter in alcoholics than in controls. Neuroradiological and neuropsychological parameters were abnormal in alcoholics. These data suggest an alteration in dopaminergic activity involving the tuberoinfundibular and probably the fronto-subcortical system in 4 weeks abstinent alcoholics.
Marchesi
C
C
Institute of Clinical Psychiatry, University of Parma, Italy.
Ampollini
P
P
Chiodera
P
P
Volpi
R
R
Coiro
V
V
D000328:Adult; D000430:Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001111:Arcuate Nucleus of Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology*; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D012016:Reference Values; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D011388:Prolactin; D004298:Dopamine