ISSN:
1432-2072
Keywords:
Alcohol
;
Withdrawal
;
Dopamine receptors
;
Growth hormone
;
Apomorphine test
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Dopamine (DA) sensitivity, assessed through maximal growth hormone (GH) response to stimulation by apomorphine (APO) (0.18–0.24 mg iv) was studied in 16 chronic alcoholics newly admitted after a period of heavy alcohol intake. Repeated hormonal tests were thereafter performed during a 2-month period under strictly controlled conditions to avoid relapse into alcohol consumption. Eight healthy volunteers with alcohol consumption slightly less than that of the general population were used as controls. It was found that DA sensitivity in the early abstinence phase was higher than later in the 2-month recovery period but not significantly different from control values. The relatively higher DA sensitivity in the early abstinence phase might be responsible for a lower threshold for psychotic symptoms and neuroleptic-induced extrapyramidal side effects. The results of this study give further evidence of a prolonged recovery phase after heavy alcohol intake.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00431699
