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01-09-2019 | Positron Emission Tomography | Psychiatry and Preclinical Psychiatric Studies - Short communication

Stressful life events are associated with striatal dopamine receptor availability in alcohol dependence

Authors: M. Sebold, G. Spitta, T. Gleich, T. Dembler-Stamm, O. Butler, K. Zacharias, S. Aydin, M. Garbusow, M. Rapp, F. Schubert, R. Buchert, J. Gallinat, A. Heinz

Published in: Journal of Neural Transmission | Issue 9/2019

Abstract

Stress plays a key role in modulating addictive behavior and can cause relapse following periods of abstinence. Common effects of stress and alcohol on the dopaminergic system have been suggested, although the precise mechanisms are unclear. Here, we investigated 20 detoxified alcohol-dependent patients and 19 matched healthy controls and assessed striatal D2/D3 availability using [¹⁸F]-fallypride positron emission tomography and stressful life events. We found a strong association between striatal D2/D3 availability and stress in patients, but not in healthy controls. Interestingly, we found increased D2/D3 receptor availability in patients with higher stress levels. This mirrors complex interactions between stress and alcohol intake in animal studies and emphasizes the importance to investigate stress exposure in neurobiological studies of addiction.

Clinical trial registration

NCT01679145.

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Title: Stressful life events are associated with striatal dopamine receptor availability in alcohol dependence
Authors: M. Sebold
G. Spitta
T. Gleich
T. Dembler-Stamm
O. Butler
K. Zacharias
S. Aydin
M. Garbusow
M. Rapp
F. Schubert
R. Buchert
J. Gallinat
A. Heinz
Publication date: 01-09-2019
Publisher: Springer Vienna
Keyword: Positron Emission Tomography
Published in: Journal of Neural Transmission / Issue 9/2019
Print ISSN: 0300-9564
Electronic ISSN: 1435-1463
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-019-01985-2

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

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Stressful life events are associated with striatal dopamine receptor availability in alcohol dependence

Abstract

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Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Clinical trial registration

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