Serotonergic function, substance craving, and psychopathology in detoxified alcohol-addicted males undergoing tryptophan depletion.
Alcohol addiction is associated with alterations of central nervous dopaminergic and serotonergic functions. Acute tryptophan depletion has not yet been applied in detoxified alcohol-addicted patients in order to investigate its impact on psychopathology, psychoneuroendocrinology, and substance craving behaviour. 25 alcohol-addicted males randomly either received a tryptophan-free or tryptophan-containing amino acid drink and 7 days later the respective other drink. Anxiety, depression, and craving were assessed before and 5 h after the drink. Tryptophan, 5-HIAA, dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and HVA in serum were measured before and after both treatments. Nocturnal urinary cortisol measurements and genotyping for the HTTLPR polymorphism of the SLC6A4 gene were performed. Tryptophan depletion resulted in a significant reduction of total and free serum tryptophan while the tryptophan-rich drink increased serum levels. Both treatments caused a significant increase of serum serotonin levels, however, serum 5-HIAA was decreased after depletion but increased after sham depletion. Dopamine and norepinephrine were elevated after tryptophan depletion and sham. Depletion increased depression scores (MADRS), while the full amino acid drink improved state and trait anxiety ratings (STAI) and substance craving. Urinary cortisol excretion was not affected by both treatments. Patients with the ll genotype of the serotonin transporter gene displayed lower baseline tryptophan levels compared to patients with the heterozygous genotype. Results suggest an impaired serotonergic function in alcohol-addicted males.
Wedekind
Dirk
D
Dept of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Goettingen, Von-Siebold Strasse 5, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany. dwedeki1@gwdg.de
Herchenhein
Thomas
T
Kirchhainer
Julia
J
Bandelow
Borwin
B
Falkai
Peter
P
Engel
Kirsten
K
Malchow
Berend
B
Havemann-Reinecke
Ursula
U
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology*; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001007:Anxiety / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008658:Inactivation, Metabolic / Q000235:genetics; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011599:Psychopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency*; D055815:Young Adult
D000596:Amino Acids; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D014364:Tryptophan