Effects of acute combined serotonin and dopamine depletion on cue-induced drinking intention/desire and cognitive function in patients with alcohol dependence

Time-dependent increases in cue-induced nicotine and methamphetamine craving during abstinence were recently reported in human drug-dependent individuals. In the present study, we sought to determine whether this 'incubation of craving' phenomenon also occurs in alcoholics. Four groups of 80 inpatient adult male alcoholics were assessed in a single session (between-group design) for cue-induced alcohol craving at 7, 14, 30 and 60 days of abstinence. Another group that included 19 patients was repeatedly tested for cue-induced alcohol craving at the same abstinence days as above. Other psychological and physiological measures were assessed at the four abstinence timepoints. Cue-induced alcohol craving measured with visual analogue scales was the highest at 60 days of abstinence both between and within groups. However, heart rate, blood pressure and skin conductance responses did not differ between abstinent groups. These results provide evidence of the incubation of alcohol craving in humans, extending previous reports with smokers and methamphetamine addicts.

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“…The olfactory stimuli included water and the subjects' favorite alcoholic beverages used in our prior study (Sun et al . ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Incubation of alcohol craving during abstinence in patients with alcohol dependence

et al. 2014

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“…Monoamine depletion (i.e. 5-HT and dopamine) increased cued induced alcohol craving in alcoholics 189 , suggesting that the conditions generated by alcohol withdrawal may increase sensitivity to alcohol-related cues, possibly by disinhibiting regions of the NAc associated with drug wanting ("craving"). MetaChlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP), a 5-HT 2 receptor agonist, also increased craving in abstinent alcoholics 190 .…”

Section: Serotonin In Alcohol Cravings and Relapsementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Alcohol withdrawal is typically attended by cravings for alcohol that can be primed or exacerbated by certain environmental triggers (e.g., alcohol, alcohol-related cues and contexts, stress) that in turn precipitate relapse. Monoamine depletion (i.e., 5-HT and dopamine) increased cue induced alcohol craving in alcoholics, suggesting that the conditions generated by alcohol withdrawal may increase sensitivity to alcohol-related cues, possibly by disinhibiting regions of the NAc associated with drug wanting (“craving”). meta-Chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP), a 5-HT 2 receptor agonist, also increased craving in abstinent alcoholics .…”

Section: Serotonin In Alcohol Cravings and Relapsementioning

confidence: 99%

Serotonergic Systems in the Pathophysiology of Ethanol Dependence: Relevance to Clinical Alcoholism

Marcinkiewcz

2015

ACS Chem. Neurosci.

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Alcoholism is a progressive brain disorder that is marked by increased sensitivity to the positive and negative reinforcing properties of ethanol, compulsive and habitual use despite negative consequences, and chronic relapse to alcohol drinking despite repeated attempts to reduce intake or abstain from alcohol. Emerging evidence from preclinical and clinical studies implicates serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) systems in the pathophysiology of alcohol dependence, suggesting that drugs targeting 5-HT systems may have utility in the treatment of alcohol use disorders. In this Review, we discuss the role of 5-HT systems in alcohol dependence with a focus on 5-HT interactions with neural circuits that govern all three stages of the addiction cycle. We attempt to clarify how 5-HT influences circuit function at these different stages with the goal of identifying neural targets for pharmacological treatment of this debilitating disorder.

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“…Additionally, their study supports the theory that chronic alcohol use often produces an allostatic state wherein failure to use alcohol regularly leads to negative affect, and in this case, impairments in various neurotransmitter systems (Koob, 2005). Sun et al (2012) suggested that alcohol-related neurotransmitter system impairment leads to numerous negative consequences, including how alcoholics respond to drinking cues. In this study, the authors explained that tryptophan (Trp), and tyrosine (Try)/phenylalanine (Phe) are necessary for the biosynthesis of serotonin and dopamine.…”

Section: Neurological Effects Of Alcohol Usementioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the San José State University Simultaneous Polydrug Use Questionnaire -- Online (SJSU SPUQ -- Online) A Pilot Study

Hennessee

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Alcohol use is one of the most prevalent forms of drug use among college students. Because of the near ubiquity of college drinking, additional research is needed to determine whether such alcohol use is related to any cognitive impairment. Furthermore, many of those who use alcohol consume one or more additional drugs simultaneously, and little research has assessed whether such simultaneous polydrug use (SPU) has a further effect on cognitive functioning. This study was developed to bridge these two gaps in the literature and aid in the development of the SJSU SPUQ-Online. Through the use of computerized tasks assessing working memory and executive functioning, the cognitive impact of recent alcohol use and frequent SPU were assessed in a sample of college students. Additionally, recent datasets utilizing the original paper version of the SJSU SPUQ and the current SJSU SPUQ-Online were compared. Results indicated that those who used alcohol within the last week spent less time planning the executive functioning task than those who did not. Data from both versions suggest that SPU is very frequent on this college campus and typically involves combinations of the drugs participants use individually. Additionally, the results of this study indicated some ways that the SJSU SPUQ-Online could be further developed and improved, such as expanding the item selection. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This SJSU Master's Thesis is the result of the efforts of many individuals. First, great appreciation is due to Dr. Sean Laraway, whose guidance has helped in the drafting of this thesis and my own professional development. I am sincerely appreciative of all the encouragement Dr. Larway has provided me throughout the Master's program. Secondly, thanks are due to my thesis committee members, Dr. Susan Snycerski and Dr. Mark Van Selst, for their excellent help ensuring the quality of this thesis. Thirdly, I am grateful to my father, David, mother, Deborah, and sister, Kaelah, for their encouragement, support, and patience during the Master's program. Additional thanks go to Christina Hushbeck for her helpfulness, comfort, and patience during the long nights I worked on this document. Lastly, but definitely not least, I would like to thank all the individuals who diligently reviewed this thesis in GS & R, the IRB for tirelessly reviewing new psychological studies, and the participants, without which, none of this research would be possible. vi

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Effects of acute combined serotonin and dopamine depletion on cue-induced drinking intention/desire and cognitive function in patients with alcohol dependence

Cited by 6 publications

References 57 publications

Incubation of alcohol craving during abstinence in patients with alcohol dependence

Incubation of alcohol craving during abstinence in patients with alcohol dependence

Serotonergic Systems in the Pathophysiology of Ethanol Dependence: Relevance to Clinical Alcoholism

Assessing the San José State University Simultaneous Polydrug Use Questionnaire -- Online (SJSU SPUQ -- Online) A Pilot Study

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