Serotonin dysfunction in pathological gamblers: increased prolactin response to oral m-CPP versus placebo.
OBJECTIVE
Acute administration of the partial serotonin (5-HT) agonist meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP), that is used also as a street drug, has been reported to induce a "high" and craving response in various impulsive and substance addiction disorders.


BACKGROUND
To clarify altered 5-HT metabolism in pathological gamblers and to explore the specific role of serotonergic system in non-substance addictions, we assessed behavioral ("high" and "craving") and neuroendocrine (prolactin and cortisol) responses to an oral single dose of m-CPP and placebo in pathological gamblers and matched controls. Moreover, the relationship between neuroendocrine outcome and clinical severity has been assessed.


METHODS
Twenty-six pathological gamblers and 26 healthy control subjects enter a double-blind, placebo-controlled-crossed administration of orally dose m-CPP 0.5 mg/kg. Outcome measures included prolactin and cortisol levels, gambling severity, mood, craving and "high" scales.


RESULTS
Pathological gamblers had significantly increased prolactin response compared to controls at 180 minutes and at 210 minutes post-administration. Greater pathological gamblers severity correlated with increased neuroendocrine responsiveness to m-CCP, suggesting greater 5-HT dysregulation. Pathological gambling patients had a significantly increased "high" sensation after m-CPP administration compared with control.


CONCLUSIONS
These results provide additional evidence for 5-HT disturbance in pathological gamblers and they support the hypotheses that the role of the 5-HT dysfunction related to the experience of "high" might represent the pathway that leads to dyscontrolled behavior in pathological gamblers. Furthermore, the "high" feeling induced by m-CPP in pathological subjects may represent a marker of vulnerability to both behavioral and substance addictions.
Pallanti
Stefano
S
Department of Psychiatry, Institute for Neuroscience, Florence University of Medicine, Florence, Italy. s.pallanti@agora.it
Bernardi
Silvia
S
Quercioli
Leonardo
L
DeCaria
Concetta
C
Hollander
Eric
E
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010879:Piperazines; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists
D010879:Piperazines; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D012701:Serotonin; D011388:Prolactin; C015068:1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine; D006854:Hydrocortisone