Brain opioid receptor binding in early abstinence from opioid dependence: positron emission tomography study.
BACKGROUND
Although opioid receptor function in humans is clearly reduced during opioid dependence, what happens to the receptor in early abstinence is not understood.


OBJECTIVE
This study sought to examine changes in opioid receptor availability in early abstinence from opioid dependence.


METHODS
Ten people with opioid dependence who had completed in-patient detoxification and 20 healthy controls underwent [11C]-diprenorphine positron emission tomography. Clinical variables were assessed with structured questionnaires. Opioid receptor binding was characterised as the volume of distribution of [11C]-diprenorphine using a template of predefined brain volumes and an exploratory voxel-by-voxel analysis.


RESULTS
Compared with controls, participants with opioid dependence had increased [11C]-diprenorphine binding in the whole brain and in 15 of the 21 a priori regions studied.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that opioid receptor binding is increased throughout the brain in early abstinence from dependent opioid use. These data complement the findings in cocaine and alcohol dependence.
Williams
Tim M
TM
Psychopharmacology Unit, University of Bristol, and Bristol Specialist Drug Service, Blackberry Hill Hospital, UK.
Daglish
Mark R C
MR
Lingford-Hughes
Anne
A
Taylor
Lindsay G
LG
Hammers
Alexander
A
Brooks
David J
DJ
Grasby
Paul
P
Myles
Judith S
JS
Nutt
David J
DJ
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004174:Diprenorphine / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000378:metabolism; D053610:Opiate Alkaloids / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000378:metabolism*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000378:metabolism*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D053610:Opiate Alkaloids; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D004174:Diprenorphine