Dopamine D(2) receptor availability is associated with subjective responses to alcohol.
BACKGROUND
The mesolimbic dopaminergic system is thought to mediate alcohol abuse and dependence. Determining the relationship between in vivo dopamine and the subjective response to alcohol could improve understanding of the mechanisms that lead to alcohol abuse and dependence. Here, we examined the relationship between dopamine D2 receptors in the nucleus accumbens and scores of perceived "high" and "intoxication" during an intravenous (IV) alcohol infusion.


METHODS
Nine healthy control subjects received [C]raclopride PET scanning at baseline. Eight subjects received a second [C]raclopride scan during a pharmacodynamically modeled and controlled rise of IV alcohol, followed by steady state (60 mg% +/- 5 mg%) alcohol infusion. Numerical ratings of "high" and "intoxication" were tested for correlations with measures of dopaminergic function.


RESULTS
Baseline D2 receptor availability in the left nucleus accumbens was significantly correlated with peak perceived "intoxication" (p = 0.02) and marginally correlated with peak perceived "high" (p = 0.07).


CONCLUSIONS
Resting D2 receptor availability may predict healthy subject responses to alcohol exposure.
Department of Radiology, Division of Research, Section of Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46206, USA. kkyoder@iupui.edu
Karmen K
KK
Yoder
David A
DA
Kareken
Regat A
RA
Seyoum
Sean J
SJ
O'connor
Chunzhi
C
Wang
Qi-Huang
QH
Zheng
Bruce
B
Mock
Evan D
ED
Morris
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D002132:Calcium Radioisotopes; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D004644:Emotions / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010465:Perception / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D020891:Raclopride; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D002132:Calcium Radioisotopes; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D000431:Ethanol; D020891:Raclopride; D004298:Dopamine