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Published on: January 29, 2017
Family history of alcoholism influences naltrexone-induced reduction in alcohol drinking
Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin1, John H Krystal, Julia Shi
1Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, Connecticut Mental Health Center, 34 Park Street, New Haven, CT 06519, USA. suchitra.krishnan-sarin@yale.edu
Background:
The purpose of this study was to examine the interactive effects of family history of alcoholism (FH+, FH-) and naltrexone dose (0, 50, 100 mg/day) on alcohol drinking.
Methods:
Ninety-two, non-treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent participants received naltrexone daily for 6 days. On the 6th day, they participated in a laboratory paradigm involving exposure to a priming dose of alcohol followed by a 2-hour drinking period in which they made choices between consuming alcoholic drinks and receiving money.
Results:
Total number of drinks consumed during the drinking period was significantly decreased by the 100-mg dose of naltrexone in FH+ drinkers. Secondary analyses in male drinkers (n = 70) indicated that 100 mg of naltrexone significantly decreased drinking in FH+ participants and increased drinking in FH- drinkers.
Conclusions:
These results suggest that family history of alcoholism might be a significant clinical predictor of response to naltrexone and that FH+ men are more likely to benefit from naltrexone therapy for alcohol drinking.
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