title: N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonism has differential effects on alcohol craving and drinking in heavy drinkers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, memantine (0, 20, 40 mg/d), upon alcohol drinking and craving in heavy drinkers with or without a family history (FH) of alcoholism, and to explore the modulatory influence of the presence of impulsivity on these outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-two, nontreatment-seeking, heavy drinkers received memantine or placebo for 8 days. On the eighth day, they received a priming dose of alcohol followed by a 3-hour period of alcohol access.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Memantine at a dose of 20 mg reduced alcohol craving but did not influence alcohol drinking. No effects of FH were observed. In participants with higher baseline levels of impulsivity, 40 mg of memantine reduced alcohol craving but increased alcohol drinking and alcohol-induced stimulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NMDA receptor signaling may play divergent roles in mediating alcohol cue-induced craving and alcohol drinking in heavy drinkers. The potential efficacy of memantine as monotherapy for alcohol use disorders may be limited by its tendency to disinhibit drinking in some individuals.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
authors: Suchitra
authors: S
authors: Krishnan-Sarin
authors: Stephanie S
authors: SS
authors: O'Malley
authors: Nicholas
authors: N
authors: Franco
authors: Dana A
authors: DA
authors: Cavallo
authors: Meghan
authors: M
authors: Morean
authors: Julia
authors: J
authors: Shi
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: Pittman
authors: John H
authors: JH
authors: Krystal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D066249:Craving / Q000187:drug effects*; D003463:Cues; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D008297:Male; D008559:Memantine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D008559:Memantine
keywords: Alcohol; Drinking; Family History; Memantine