Basal plasma beta-endorphin in prepubertal sons of alcoholics and drug addicts: lack of association with problem behaviors.
Several reports have speculated that variations in beta-endorphin functioning may actually proceed the development of alcoholism and other drug use disorders, and is consequently a genetic mechanism of some etiologic importance. The goal of this investigation was to determine whether differences in basal plasma beta-endorphin concentrations could be confirmed in prepubertal children naive to alcohol and drugs, yet at parental risk for alcoholism, or drug dependence. Consequently, we have examined fasting basal plasma beta-endorphin concentrations in a sample of prepubertal sons of alcoholic fathers and compared them to both our existing sample of sons of drug dependent fathers and normal control boys. In addition, we examined the relationship between plasma beta-endorphin concentrations and maternal reports of problem behaviors posited to be related to the liability for alcoholism or drug abuse. The results reveal no differences in fasting basal plasma beta-endorphin concentrations. Although the at-risk groups differ significantly from normal boys having elevated scale scores for internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors, no association between plasma beta-endorphin and these behavioral risk factors could be found. Overall, the results fail to support an inherited 'opioid deficiency hypothesis' for the development of alcoholism or drug dependence.
Moss
H B
HB
Center for Education and Drug Abuse Research, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA 15213, USA.
Yao
J K
JK
D000437:Alcoholism; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents; D005192:Family Health; D005220:Fathers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D001615:beta-Endorphin