Family history of alcoholism does not influence adrenocortical hyporesponsiveness in abstinent alcohol-dependent men.
BACKGROUND
Early abstinence in alcohol-dependent subjects is marked by adrenocortical hyporesponsivity. However, it is uncertain whether the blunted response is primarily attributable to a genetic vulnerability or to the chronic abuse of alcohol. In the present study, the authors investigated the influence of a family history (FH) of alcoholism upon suppressed glucocorticoid reactivity.


METHODS
Twenty-two abstinent alcohol-dependent and 14 control men were studied. The cortisol response was assessed in 11 patients following oCRH infusion (.4 ug/kg) and in a separate group of 11 patients following cosyntropin infusion (.01 ug/kg) preceded by high-dose intravenous dexamethasone (8 mg). FH, as determined by self-report, was assessed using two different methods: history of parental alcoholism and number of alcohol-dependent first- and second-degree relatives.


RESULTS
Neither a parental history or familial loading of alcoholism had a significant effect upon glucocorticoid responsivity in abstinent alcohol-dependent men.


CONCLUSIONS
Adrenocorticol responsiveness in recently abstinent alcohol-dependent men does not appear to reflect a preexisting biologic vulnerability to alcoholism.
Hardin
Elizabeth
E
Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas 75390-8564, USA.
Adinoff
Bryon
B
D000304:Adrenal Cortex Function Tests; D000309:Adrenal Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005192:Family Health; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D006854:Hydrocortisone