The effect of acamprosate on alcohol and food craving in patients with alcohol dependence.
BACKGROUND
The balance between inhibitory (gamma aminobutyric acid; GABAergic) and excitatory (glutamatergic) neurotransmission is thought to be associated with craving for alcohol and food. The anticraving effect of acamprosate is thought to be mediated through modifying the balance of GABA and glutamate. Recent studies in animals have suggested that acamprosate may have non-selective effects on craving for both alcohol and food.


METHODS
The influence of acamprosate for reducing craving for alcohol and food was assessed in 204 in-patients with alcohol dependence (96 patients treated with acamprosate, PWA; 108 patients were not treated PNA) was assessed at baseline and following 1, 2, and 4 weeks of treatment.


RESULTS
There was a significant reduction in craving for alcohol over 4 weeks of treatment in both PWA and PNA groups, but without significant group differences. In contrast, a reduction in food craving was observed only in the PWA group. In addition, there was a significant increase of body mass index (BMI) in the PNA group but not the PWA group over the 4-week period.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate acamprosate nonselective effects on craving for drinking and eating in alcoholic patients.
Han
Doug Hyun
DH
McLean Hospital Brain Imaging Center and Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478, USA.
Lyool
In Kyoon
IK
Sung
Young Hoon
YH
Lee
Sang Hoon
SH
Renshaw
Perry F
PF
D000077443:Acamprosate; D000328:Adult; D000427:Alcohol Deterrents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D018757:GABA Modulators / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013654:Taurine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013831:Thiamine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000427:Alcohol Deterrents; D018757:GABA Modulators; D013654:Taurine; D000077443:Acamprosate; D008140:Lorazepam; D013831:Thiamine