Subnormal alpha-2-adrenoceptor-mediated sedation during 6 months of sobriety in male type 1 alcohol-dependent subjects.
OBJECTIVE
In the present study, alpha(2)-adrenoceptor function was investigated over 6 months of sobriety in eight male alcohol-dependent subjects.


METHODS
Subjects were investigated with repeated clonidine (CLON, 2 micro g/kg body weight intravenously) challenge tests at days 1 and 7, and months 2 and 6 after the end of a period of heavy alcohol intake. CLON-induced sedation was rated at challenge tests. Mental well-being was self-reported before all challenge tests. Three challenge tests were performed at 1-week intervals in six male healthy controls.


RESULTS
Sedation was significantly lower after CLON at all time-points for the challenge tests in alcohol-dependent subjects compared with mean values for three challenge tests in controls. Three dimensions of mental well-being were negatively correlated with scores of CLON-induced sedation at month 6.


CONCLUSIONS
alpha(2)-Adrenoceptor function is subnormal, as assessed by CLON-induced sedation, for at least 6 months after termination of alcohol intake. Whether this subnormal receptor function is pre-existing and possibly genetically determined or is a consequence of long-term alcohol intake must be further investigated, as should this receptor status in alcohol-dependent subjects with longer time-periods of sobriety.
Berggren
Ulf
U
The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, SE - 431 80 Mölndal, Sweden.
Berglund
Kristina
K
Eriksson
Matts
M
Fahlke
Claudia
C
Zachrisson
Olof
O
Balldin
Jan
J
D058647:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D003000:Clonidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2 / Q000502:physiology*; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013695:Temperance / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors
D058647:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2; D003000:Clonidine