Fluoxetine attenuates adrenocortical but not subjective responses to cocaine cues.
Preclinical data suggest a link between stress reactivity and cocaine self-administration by rodents. Serotonin appears to modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. We studied the effects of chronic treatment with the serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine 40 mg/day on subjective and hormonal responses to cocaine cues in 22 subjects participating in a controlled clinical trial for cocaine dependence. Fluoxetine antagonized the cue-induced increase in cortisol but increased subjects' ratings of the likelihood of cocaine use in response to cocaine cues. Cortisol response to cocaine cues was not related to subjective craving. Activation of the HPA axis by cocaine cues does not appear to be a necessary mediator of cue-induced craving.
Harris
Debra S
DS
Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati VA Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45220, USA. debra.harris4@med.va.gov
Batki
Steven L
SL
Berger
S Paul
SP
D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003463:Cues; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005473:Fluoxetine; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors