title: Association of testosterone and BDNF serum levels with craving during alcohol withdrawal.
abstract: Preclinical and clinical studies show associations between testosterone and brain-derived neurotrophic growth factor (BDNF) serum levels. BDNF and testosterone have been independently reported to influence alcohol consumption. Therefore, we aimed to investigate a possible interplay of testosterone and BDNF contributing to alcohol dependence. Regarding possible interplay of testosterone and BDNF and the activity of the hypothalamic pituitary axis (HPA), we included cortisol serum levels in our research. We investigated testosterone and BDNF serum levels in a sample of 99 male alcohol-dependent patients during alcohol withdrawal (day 1, 7, and 14) and compared them to a healthy male control group (n = 17). The testosterone serum levels were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in the patients' group than in the control group and decreased significantly during alcohol withdrawal (p < 0.001). The decrease of testosterone serum levels during alcohol withdrawal (days 1-7) was significantly associated with the BDNF serum levels (day 1: p = 0.008). In a subgroup of patients showing high cortisol serum levels (putatively mirroring high HPA activity), we found a significant association of BDNF and testosterone as well as with alcohol craving measured by the Obsessive and Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS). Our data suggest a possible association of BDNF and testosterone serum levels, which may be relevant for the symptomatology of alcohol dependence. Further studies are needed to clarify our results.
authors: Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hanover, Germany; Fachklinikum Uchtspringe, Emil-Kraepelin-Str. 6, 39576 Stendal, Germany. Electronic address: a.heberlein@salus-lsa.de.
authors: Annemarie
authors: A
authors: Heberlein
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany.
authors: Bernd
authors: B
authors: Lenz
authors: Medizinischer Dienst der Krankenversicherungen Niedersachsen, Hildesheimer Str. 265-267, 30519 Hannover, Germany.
authors: Birgitt
authors: B
authors: Opfermann
authors: Bioanalytical Laboratory, Celerion Switzerland AG, Allmendstr. 32, 8320 Fehraltorf, Switzerland.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Gröschl
authors: Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hanover, Germany.
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Janke
authors: Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hanover, Germany.
authors: Katrin
authors: K
authors: Stange
authors: Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hanover, Germany.
authors: Adrian
authors: A
authors: Groh
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany.
authors: Johannes
authors: J
authors: Kornhuber
authors: Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hanover, Germany.
authors: Helge
authors: H
authors: Frieling
authors: Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hanover, Germany.
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Bleich
authors: Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hanover, Germany.
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Hillemacher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020751:Alcohol-Induced Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D066249:Craving; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D013739:Testosterone; C579455:BDNF protein, human; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Abstinence; Alcohol dependence; Alcohol withdrawal; BDNF; Testosterone