Neuroscience 2001 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 572.13 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Mu-opiat receptor availability is associated with alcohol craving and activation of frontal executive functions - a carfentanil PET study. |
| Authors: |
Heinz, A.*1
; Reimold, M.2
; Hermann , D.1
; Wrase , J.1
; Machulla, H. J.2
; Bares, R.2
; Braus, D. F.1
; Mann, K.1
1Dept Addiction Med, Central Inst Mental Hlth, 68159 Mannheim, Germany 2Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Neurological and Psychiatric Conditions - Addiction and Drugs of Abuse -- Alcohol, barbituates, and benzodiazepines |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | Synaptic Transmission and Excitability<br />- Neurotransmitters<br />-- Opioid |
| Session: |
572. Addiction and drugs of abuse: alcohol Slide |
| Presentation Time: | Tuesday, November 13, 2001 4:00 PM-4:15 PM |
| Location: | Room 2 |
| Keywords: | ABUSE, OPIOID RECEPTOR, PREFRONTAL CORTEX, ALCOHOL |
Background: Endorphine release is stimulated by alcohol intake and activates central mu-opioid receptors, which may contribute to the rewarding effects of alcohol. Blockade of central opioid receptors with naltrexone reduces the relapse risk among alcoholics and may enable executive behavior control to inhibit alcohol urges.
Methods: Mu-opioid receptor availability and alcohol craving were measured with [C-11]carfentanil PET and the Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale in ten abstinent alcoholics. MRI-coregistered PET images were acquired after 40 to 70 minutes post tracer injection. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to assess activation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with a complex audiovisual stimulation paradigm. Patients were then treated with naltrexone (50mg/day) for eight weeks and the relapse rate was assessed in regular visits.
Results: Alcohol craving was significantly correlated with mu-opioid receptor availability in the right dorsolateral prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortices and bilateral putamen. Mu-opiate receptor availability in the left putamen was negatively correlated with functional activation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Five subsequent relapsers showed significantly higher mu-opiate receptor availability in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortices than 5 abstainers.
Discussion: Increased mu-opioid receptor availability in the striatum and frontal cortices may contribute to obsessive alcohol craving and may impair frontal executive control.
Methods: Mu-opioid receptor availability and alcohol craving were measured with [C-11]carfentanil PET and the Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale in ten abstinent alcoholics. MRI-coregistered PET images were acquired after 40 to 70 minutes post tracer injection. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to assess activation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with a complex audiovisual stimulation paradigm. Patients were then treated with naltrexone (50mg/day) for eight weeks and the relapse rate was assessed in regular visits.
Results: Alcohol craving was significantly correlated with mu-opioid receptor availability in the right dorsolateral prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortices and bilateral putamen. Mu-opiate receptor availability in the left putamen was negatively correlated with functional activation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Five subsequent relapsers showed significantly higher mu-opiate receptor availability in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortices than 5 abstainers.
Discussion: Increased mu-opioid receptor availability in the striatum and frontal cortices may contribute to obsessive alcohol craving and may impair frontal executive control.
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2001 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. San Diego, CA: Society for Neuroscience, 2001. Online.
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