Disturbances in regulation of catecholamine neuromediation in alcoholism

Dopamine content of blood, activity of adenylate- and guanylate cyclases in platelets and lymphocytes, catechol-O-methyltransferase in erythrocytes, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase in blood plasma, monoamine oxidase in platelets, cAMP and cGMP content of blood, and the intensity of 3H-DA uptake by platelets have been investigated in alcoholic patients at different clinical states. Most of these indices have been studied in the brain and blood of rats displaying different affinities to alcohol. The results indicate that, in addition to the previously described disturbances of DA turnover, changes occur in the functions of enzyme and receptor systems involved in the mechanism of catecholamine neuromediation. Rats preferring and avoiding alcohol exhibit different DA and cyclic nucleotide concentrations in the blood and a trend towards different activity of some enzymes in the brain. It is suggested that: (1) the disturbances in the regulation of catecholamine neuromediation are involved in the mechanism of development of alcohol dependence; (2) the genetically-determined abnormalities of catecholamine neuromediation may contribute to an individual's attitude to alcohol.