title: Relationship between the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis and alcohol craving in alcohol-dependent patients: a longitudinal study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A relationship between some hypothalamic-pituitary-related hormones and craving for alcohol has been suggested, leading to hypothesize a role of some hormones in the neurobiology of alcohol dependence. Investigating this association in alcohol-dependent (AD) patients was the aim of this preliminary and exploratory study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone, prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free T3, free T4, growth hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone as well as administering the Obsessive-Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS) and Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS) were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks in 25 current AD patients. Patients were treated with baclofen (10 mg t.i.d.) for these 12 weeks. Sixteen patients remained totally abstinent for 12 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, a significant inverse correlation was found between TSH and PACS (r = -0.46; p = 0.022) and OCDS scores (r = -0.53; p = 0.007). A significant direct correlation was found between free T3 and OCDS score (r = 0.44; p = 0.026). In the 16 abstinent patients, craving scores were significantly decreased at 12 weeks (p < 0.01). At 12 weeks, no significant correlation was found between TSH and craving, but free T3 remained directly correlated with OCDS score (r = 0.60; p = 0.013).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A relationship between alcohol craving and free T3 and TSH was demonstrated in AD patients, suggesting the potential involvement of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis in the neurobiology of alcohol craving.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy. Lorenzo_Leggio@brown.edu
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Leggio
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferrulli
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cardone
authors.forename: Noemi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Malandrino
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mirijello
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: D'Angelo
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vonghia
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miceli
authors.forename: Esmeralda
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Capristo
authors.forename: George A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Kenna
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gasbarrini
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Swift
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Addolorato
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D001418:Baclofen / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D013972:Thyrotropin; D001418:Baclofen