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Hypothalamic function in response to 2-deoxy-D-glucose in long-term abstinent alcoholics
J C Umhau1, S G Petrulis, R Diaz
1National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1610, USA. Umhau@nih.gov
Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research
|May 24, 2001
Summary
Long-term sober alcoholics show normal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function. This suggests that previously observed HPA axis abnormalities in alcoholics may resolve with sustained abstinence.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Alcoholism Research
- Stress Response
Background:
- The body activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in response to stress.
- Chronic alcohol consumption alters HPA axis function.
- Limited research exists on HPA axis function in long-term abstinent alcoholics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize HPA axis function in individuals with long-term alcohol abstinence.
- To investigate the impact of sustained sobriety on neuroendocrine stress responses.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) challenge paradigm to induce a stress response.
- Administered 2-DG infusion to healthy volunteers and alcoholics abstinent for over 6 months.
- Compared corticotropin and cortisol levels between groups post-infusion.
Main Results:
- Long-term sober alcoholics exhibited normal corticotropin and cortisol responses to 2-DG.
- This contrasts with findings in recently abstinent alcoholics who showed exaggerated responses.
- HPA axis function appears normalized after prolonged abstinence.
Conclusions:
- HPA axis abnormalities in alcoholics may be transient, linked to recent alcohol use and withdrawal.
- Metabolic and HPA system investigations in alcoholics should account for long-term abstinence effects.
- Normalization of HPA axis function may require extended periods of sobriety.