Brain opioid receptor binding in early abstinence from alcohol dependence and relationship to craving: an [11C]diprenorphine PET study.
The importance of the opioid receptor system in substance dependence is increasingly recognised. We used PET with the non-selective tracer [11C]diprenorphine to examine opioid receptor binding in early abstinence from alcohol dependence and the relationship to craving. We recruited 11 alcohol dependent patients and 13 controls. Subjects underwent one [11C]diprenorphine PET scan in early abstinence from dependent alcohol use (approximately 2 weeks) and 2 months later if continuously abstinent. Global and regional [11C]diprenorphine volumes of distribution (VD) were increased in alcohol dependent patients compared with controls but did not reach significance. We demonstrated a correlation between global and regional [11C]diprenorphine VD and craving in alcohol dependent patients which persisted in the anterior cingulate cortex into extended abstinence. This confirms previous work showing increased opioid receptor availability in early abstinence from substances of abuse and correlation with craving suggesting that the opioid system plays a fundamental role in this phase of addiction.
Williams
Tim M
TM
Psychopharmacology Unit, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, University of Bristol, Whitson Street, Bristol, UK. tim.williams@bristol.ac.uk
Davies
Simon J C
SJ
Taylor
Lindsay G
LG
Daglish
Mark R C
MR
Hammers
Alexander
A
Brooks
David J
DJ
Nutt
David J
DJ
Lingford-Hughes
Anne
A
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D002247:Carbon Isotopes / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004174:Diprenorphine / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000032:analysis; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D011869:Radioligand Assay / Q000379:methods; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000378:metabolism*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D004174:Diprenorphine