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NGF plasma levels increase due to alcohol intoxication and decrease during withdrawal.

Annemarie Heberlein¹, Stefan Bleich, Kristina Bayerlein

¹Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany. annemarie.heberlein@uk-erlangen.de

Psychoneuroendocrinology

|July 22, 2008

Summary

Alcohol dependence is linked to higher nerve growth factor (NGF) levels. These NGF levels decrease during alcohol withdrawal, suggesting a regulatory role in counteracting intoxication.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Biochemistry

Background:

Alcohol dependence is associated with changes in plasma nerve growth factor (NGF) levels.
Previous research indicates potential alterations in NGF during alcohol intoxication and withdrawal.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate alterations in plasma NGF levels during alcohol intoxication and withdrawal.
To compare NGF levels in alcohol-dependent patients versus healthy controls.

Main Methods:

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure plasma NGF levels.
NGF levels were assessed in male alcohol-dependent patients (n=75) and healthy controls (n=44).
Measurements were taken on admission (day 0) and day 7 of alcohol withdrawal.

Main Results:

Alcohol-dependent patients exhibited significantly higher plasma NGF levels compared to controls (p<0.001).
Patients with acute alcohol intoxication had higher NGF levels than early abstinent patients (p=0.003).
NGF plasma levels significantly decreased from day 0 to day 7 in both intoxicated and abstinent groups (p=0.002, p=0.035).

Conclusions:

Acute alcohol intoxication is associated with elevated plasma NGF levels.
NGF levels decrease during the alcohol withdrawal process.
Increased NGF may function as a regulatory mechanism against alcohol intoxication.