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Alpha-2-adrenoceptor function in alcoholics.

D J Nutt1, P Glue

  • 1Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD 20892.

Advances in Alcohol & Substance Abuse
|January 1, 1988
PubMed
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Alpha-2-adrenoceptor function is impaired during alcohol withdrawal, showing blunted responses to clonidine. This deficit in inhibitory control may persist, affecting blood pressure, temperature, and growth hormone release in abstinent individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Endocrinology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Alpha-2-adrenoceptor (α2) function is crucial for regulating various physiological processes.
  • Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is associated with significant neurobiological changes.
  • Understanding α2-adrenergic system alterations in alcoholism is important for clinical management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess alpha-2-adrenoceptor function in individuals undergoing alcohol withdrawal.
  • To investigate the effects of clonidine on physiological and endocrine responses during and after alcohol withdrawal.
  • To determine if deficits in alpha-2-adrenergic control persist in abstinent alcoholics.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the intravenous clonidine challenge test to evaluate alpha-2-adrenoceptor function.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Measured blood pressure, sedation, and body temperature responses to clonidine.
  • Assessed growth hormone (GH) response to clonidine in withdrawing and abstinent alcoholics compared to controls.

    • Main Results:

    • Clonidine's effects on blood pressure, sedation, and body temperature were blunted during alcohol withdrawal compared to abstinent individuals and healthy controls.
    • The growth hormone response to clonidine was blunted in both withdrawing and abstinent alcoholics.
    • These findings indicate a compromised alpha-2-inhibitory control during alcohol withdrawal.

    Conclusions:

    • A deficit in alpha-2-inhibitory control is a characteristic feature of alcohol withdrawal.
    • The impairment in endocrine responses, specifically growth hormone release, may persist for some time after cessation of alcohol.
    • These results highlight the sustained impact of alcohol dependence on the alpha-2-adrenergic system.