Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
3
pubmed:dateCreated
1996-12-5
pubmed:abstractText
With a view to the role of dopamine (DA) systems in reward processes and considering recent studies linking specific alleles at the DA-D2 receptor gene locus with alcoholism (especially with severe types) dopaminergic functions were evaluated in 49 alcoholics using growth hormone (GH) response to DA receptor agonist apomorphine (0.01 mg/kg subcutaneously). neuroendocrine testing was performed (during intoxication) at the time of admission to an inpatient alcohol treatment program and was repeated 7 days later (in a postintoxicated state). Patients underwent clinical examination, detoxification treatment and a subsequent rehabilitation program for abstinence including follow-up evaluation of outcome for 6 months. A two-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant change of GH response (peak values corrected for baseline) over time (between intoxication and postintoxication; p < 0.001) and between abstainers and relapsers (p = 0.032). Relapse was also associated with paternal alcoholism, early onset of disease, and a more complete dependence syndrome and cerebellar atrophy. Standardized canonical discriminant coefficient was highest for reduced GH response compared to other relapse predictors in the model used. It is concluded that reduced GH response to dopaminergic stimulation corresponds to a progressed stage or syndrome of severe alcohol dependence; however, if reduced, dopaminergic function is one cause or consequence of addiction in this particular subgroup of patients that remains to be elucidated.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Feb
pubmed:issn
0006-3223
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
1
pubmed:volume
39
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
193-8
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1996
pubmed:articleTitle
Reduced dopaminergic function in alcoholics is related to severe dependence.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Psychiatry and Medicine, Free University of Berlin, Germany.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't