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Genetic Variation and Mendelian Randomization Approaches. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1390:327-342. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-11836-4_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Crawford AA, Bankier S, Altmaier E, Barnes CLK, Clark DW, Ermel R, Friedrich N, van der Harst P, Joshi PK, Karhunen V, Lahti J, Mahajan A, Mangino M, Nethander M, Neumann A, Pietzner M, Sukhavasi K, Wang CA, Bakker SJL, Bjorkegren JLM, Campbell H, Eriksson J, Gieger C, Hayward C, Jarvelin MR, McLachlan S, Morris AP, Ohlsson C, Pennell CE, Price J, Rudan I, Ruusalepp A, Spector T, Tiemeier H, Völzke H, Wilson JF, Michoel T, Timpson NJ, Smith GD, Walker BR. Variation in the SERPINA6/SERPINA1 locus alters morning plasma cortisol, hepatic corticosteroid binding globulin expression, gene expression in peripheral tissues, and risk of cardiovascular disease. J Hum Genet 2021; 66:625-636. [PMID: 33469137 PMCID: PMC8144017 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-020-00895-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The stress hormone cortisol modulates fuel metabolism, cardiovascular homoeostasis, mood, inflammation and cognition. The CORtisol NETwork (CORNET) consortium previously identified a single locus associated with morning plasma cortisol. Identifying additional genetic variants that explain more of the variance in cortisol could provide new insights into cortisol biology and provide statistical power to test the causative role of cortisol in common diseases. The CORNET consortium extended its genome-wide association meta-analysis for morning plasma cortisol from 12,597 to 25,314 subjects and from ~2.2 M to ~7 M SNPs, in 17 population-based cohorts of European ancestries. We confirmed the genetic association with SERPINA6/SERPINA1. This locus contains genes encoding corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG) and α1-antitrypsin. Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analyses undertaken in the STARNET cohort of 600 individuals showed that specific genetic variants within the SERPINA6/SERPINA1 locus influence expression of SERPINA6 rather than SERPINA1 in the liver. Moreover, trans-eQTL analysis demonstrated effects on adipose tissue gene expression, suggesting that variations in CBG levels have an effect on delivery of cortisol to peripheral tissues. Two-sample Mendelian randomisation analyses provided evidence that each genetically-determined standard deviation (SD) increase in morning plasma cortisol was associated with increased odds of chronic ischaemic heart disease (0.32, 95% CI 0.06-0.59) and myocardial infarction (0.21, 95% CI 0.00-0.43) in UK Biobank and similarly in CARDIoGRAMplusC4D. These findings reveal a causative pathway for CBG in determining cortisol action in peripheral tissues and thereby contributing to the aetiology of cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Crawford
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Sean Bankier
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Elisabeth Altmaier
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Catriona L K Barnes
- Centre for Global Health Research, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG, Scotland
| | - David W Clark
- Centre for Global Health Research, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG, Scotland
| | - Raili Ermel
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Nele Friedrich
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Disease (DZHK e.V.), partner site Greifswald, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Pim van der Harst
- Division of Heart and Lungs, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, PO box 30.001, 9700 RB, The Netherlands
| | - Peter K Joshi
- Centre for Global Health Research, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG, Scotland
| | - Ville Karhunen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Medical Research Council-Public Health England Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Centre for Life Course Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Jari Lahti
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Turku Institute of Advanced Studies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Anubha Mahajan
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Massimo Mangino
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College, Lambeth Palace Road, London, SE1 7EH, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Maria Nethander
- Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Alexander Neumann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Maik Pietzner
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Disease (DZHK e.V.), partner site Greifswald, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
| | | | - Carol A Wang
- School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Stephan J L Bakker
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Johan L M Bjorkegren
- Integrated Cardio Metabolic Centre, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset, Huddinge, Sweden
- Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Clinical Gene Networks AB, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Harry Campbell
- Centre for Global Health Research, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG, Scotland
| | - Johan Eriksson
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Helsinki, Singapore
| | - Christian Gieger
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Caroline Hayward
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Western General Hospital University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, Scotland
| | - Marjo-Riitta Jarvelin
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Medical Research Council-Public Health England Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Centre for Life Course Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Unit of Primary Health Care and Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Stela McLachlan
- Centre for Global Health Research, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG, Scotland
| | - Andrew P Morris
- Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Human genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Claes Ohlsson
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Drug Treatment, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Craig E Pennell
- School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Jackie Price
- Centre for Global Health Research, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG, Scotland
| | - Igor Rudan
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Arno Ruusalepp
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
- Clinical Gene Networks AB, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tim Spector
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Henning Tiemeier
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Social and Behavioural Science, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Henry Völzke
- Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Walther-Rathenau-Str. 48, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - James F Wilson
- Centre for Global Health Research, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG, Scotland
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Western General Hospital University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, Scotland
| | - Tom Michoel
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, PO Box 7803, 5020, Bergen, Norway
| | - Nicolas J Timpson
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - George Davey Smith
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Brian R Walker
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
- Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
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van Keulen BJ, Dolan CV, Andrew R, Walker BR, Hulshoff Pol HE, Boomsma DI, Rotteveel J, Finken MJJ. Heritability of Cortisol Production and Metabolism Throughout Adolescence. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 105:5586817. [PMID: 31608377 PMCID: PMC7046020 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgz016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Inter-individual differences in cortisol production and metabolism emerge with age and may be explained by genetic factors. OBJECTIVE To estimate the relative contributions of genetic and environmental factors to inter-individual differences in cortisol production and metabolism throughout adolescence. DESIGN Prospective follow-up study of twins. SETTING Nationwide register. PARTICIPANTS 218 mono- and dizygotic twins (N = 109 pairs) born between 1995 amd 1996, recruited from the Netherlands Twin Register. Cortisol metabolites were determined in 213, 169, and 160 urine samples at the ages of 9, 12, and 17, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The total contribution of genetic factors (broad-sense heritability) and shared and unshared environmental influences to inter-individual differences in cortisol production and activities of 5α-reductase, 5β-reductase, and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases and cytochrome P450 3A4. RESULTS For cortisol production rate at the ages of 9, 12, and 17, broad-sense heritability was estimated as 42%, 30%, and 0%, respectively, and the remainder of the variance was explained by unshared environmental factors. For cortisol metabolism indices, the following heritability was observed: for the A-ring reductases (5α-and 5β-reductases), broad-sense heritability increased with age (to >50%), while for the other indices (renal 11β-HSD2, global 11β-HSD, and CYP3A4), the contribution of genetic factors was highest (68%, 18%, and 67%, respectively) at age 12. CONCLUSIONS The contribution of genetic factors to inter-individual differences in cortisol production decreased between 12 and 17y, indicative of a predominant role of individual circumstances. For cortisol metabolism, distinct patterns of genetic and environmental influences were observed, with heritability that either increased with age or peaked at age 12y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britt J van Keulen
- Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Pediatric Endocrinology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Correspondence and Requests: Britt J van Keulen, MD, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Pediatric endocrinology, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands. E-mail:
| | - Conor V Dolan
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ruth Andrew
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Brian R Walker
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Hilleke E Hulshoff Pol
- Department of Psychiatry, Brian Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dorret I Boomsma
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joost Rotteveel
- Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Pediatric Endocrinology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn J J Finken
- Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Pediatric Endocrinology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Fanson KV, Biro PA. Meta-analytic insights into factors influencing the repeatability of hormone levels in agricultural, ecological, and medical fields. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2018; 316:R101-R109. [PMID: 30427725 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00006.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Interest in individual variation in hormone concentrations is rapidly increasing, particularly with regard to the evolutionary and practical implications. A key aspect of studying individual variation in any labile trait is estimating the degree of within- versus among-individual variation, but at present, we do not have a broad consensus on the extent to which hormone levels are repeatable and what factors might influence repeatability. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of hormone levels that included 1,132 estimates of repeatability from 368 studies across three fields of study: agriculture, ecology, and medicine. We assessed the influence of sex, age class, sample type, hormone family, type of hormone measure, assay type, number of subjects, number of samples per subject, and sampling interval on repeatability estimates. Overall mean repeatability was 0.58, but estimates differed substantially among study disciplines, being lowest in ecology (0.34), moderate in agriculture (0.52), and relatively high in medicine (0.68). In addition, repeatability decreased slightly as sampling interval increased, and also tended to be higher for peak hormone levels than baseline levels. Overall, hormone levels are moderately repeatable, suggesting that they can potentially be useful indicators of individual variation. However, estimates of repeatability are quite variable among fields, so caution should be used when relying on single samples to assess individual variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry V Fanson
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Australia.,Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution, La Trobe University , Bundoora , Australia
| | - Peter A Biro
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Australia
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Neumann A, Direk N, Crawford AA, Mirza S, Adams H, Bolton J, Hayward C, Strachan DP, Payne EK, Smith JA, Milaneschi Y, Penninx B, Hottenga JJ, de Geus E, Oldehinkel AJ, van der Most PJ, de Rijke Y, Walker BR, Tiemeier H. The low single nucleotide polymorphism heritability of plasma and saliva cortisol levels. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 85:88-95. [PMID: 28843169 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Cortisol is an important stress hormone affected by a variety of biological and environmental factors, such as the circadian rhythm, exercise and psychological stress. Cortisol is mostly measured using blood or saliva samples. A number of genetic variants have been found to contribute to cortisol levels with these methods. While the effects of several specific single genetic variants is known, the joint genome-wide contribution to cortisol levels is unclear. Our aim was to estimate the amount of cortisol variance explained by common single nucleotide polymorphisms, i.e. the SNP heritability, using a variety of cortisol measures, cohorts and analysis approaches. We analyzed morning plasma (n=5705) and saliva levels (n=1717), as well as diurnal saliva levels (n=1541), in the Rotterdam Study using genomic restricted maximum likelihood estimation. Additionally, linkage disequilibrium score regression was fitted on the results of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) performed by the CORNET consortium on morning plasma cortisol (n=12,597) and saliva cortisol (n=7703). No significant SNP heritability was detected for any cortisol measure, sample or analysis approach. Point estimates ranged from 0% to 9%. Morning plasma cortisol in the CORNET cohorts, the sample with the most power, had a 6% [95%CI: 0-13%] SNP heritability. The results consistently suggest a low SNP heritability of these acute and short-term measures of cortisol. The low SNP heritability may reflect the substantial environmental and, in particular, situational component of these cortisol measures. Future GWAS will require very large sample sizes. Alternatively, more long-term cortisol measures such as hair cortisol samples are needed to discover further genetic pathways regulating cortisol concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Neumann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, PO-Box 2060, Rotterdam 3000 CB, The Netherlands
| | - Nese Direk
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, PO-Box 2040, Rotterdam 3000 CA, The Netherlands
| | - Andrew A Crawford
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK; MRC IEU, School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Saira Mirza
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, PO-Box 2040, Rotterdam 3000 CA, The Netherlands
| | - Hieab Adams
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, PO-Box 2040, Rotterdam 3000 CA, The Netherlands
| | - Jennifer Bolton
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Caroline Hayward
- Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - David P Strachan
- Population Health Research Institute, St George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK
| | - Erin K Payne
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Life Sciences Program, Northrop Grumman Health Division, 7575 Colshire Dr, McLean, VA 22102, United States
| | - Jennifer A Smith
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, PO-Box 1248, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1248, United States
| | - Yuri Milaneschi
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health and Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Medical Center/GGZ inGeest, PO Box 7057, Amsterdam 1007 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Brenda Penninx
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health and Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Medical Center/GGZ inGeest, PO Box 7057, Amsterdam 1007 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Jouke J Hottenga
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 1, Amsterdam 1081 BT, The Netherlands
| | - Eco de Geus
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 1, Amsterdam 1081 BT, The Netherlands
| | - Albertine J Oldehinkel
- Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO-Box 30.001, Groningen 9700 RB, The Netherlands
| | - Peter J van der Most
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO-Box 30.001, Groningen 9700 RB, The Netherlands
| | - Yolanda de Rijke
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO-Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Brian R Walker
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Henning Tiemeier
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, PO-Box 2060, Rotterdam 3000 CB, The Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, PO-Box 2040, Rotterdam 3000 CA, The Netherlands.
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Erevik EK, Pallesen S, Vedaa Ø, Andreassen CS, Torsheim T. Alcohol use among Norwegian students: Demographics, personality and psychological health correlates of drinking patterns. NORDIC STUDIES ON ALCOHOL AND DRUGS 2017; 34:415-429. [PMID: 32934502 PMCID: PMC7450855 DOI: 10.1177/1455072517709918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS This study investigates demographic, personality, and psychological health correlates of different drinking patterns. DESIGN Students at the four largest institutions of higher education in Bergen municipality were invited via email to complete an internet-based questionnaire. The final sample size was 11,236 (39.4%), mean age 24.9 years (SD = 6.5), and 63.3% were women. The survey included the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) and questions about demographics, personality traits, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Binary logistic regressions were used to identify correlates of different drinking patterns. RESULTS A total of 53.0% of the students had an AUDIT score of or above 8 (i.e., hazardous drinking). Being native Norwegian, male, single, without children, non-religious, extroverted, unconscientious, and less open to experience were associated with higher AUDIT scores, drinking frequently, and binge drinking. Having parents with high alcohol or drug use increased the odds of engaging in binge drinking, but this factor was not associated with frequent drinking. Students scoring higher on neuroticism and openness were less likely to report problematic alcohol usage. CONCLUSIONS A majority of the students reported alcohol habits that are associated with harm if they persist. This emphasises the need to examine the long-term consequences of students' alcohol use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Øystein Vedaa
- University of Bergen, Norway
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Bergen, Norway
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7
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Froehlich JC, Fischer SM, Nicholson ER, Dilley JE, Filosa NJ, Smith TN, Rademacher LC. A Combination of Naltrexone + Varenicline Retards the Expression of a Genetic Predisposition Toward High Alcohol Drinking. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2017; 41:644-652. [PMID: 28055135 PMCID: PMC5332282 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study examined whether naltrexone (NTX) or varenicline (VAR), alone or in combination, can retard the phenotypic expression of a genetic predisposition toward high alcohol drinking in rats selectively bred for high alcohol intake when drug treatment is initiated prior to, or concomitantly with, the onset of alcohol drinking. METHODS Alcohol-naïve P rats were treated daily with NTX (15.0 mg/kg BW), VAR (1.0 mg/kg BW), a combination of NTX (15.0 mg/kg BW) + VAR (1.0 mg/kg BW), or vehicle (VEH) for 2 weeks prior to, or concomitantly with, their first opportunity to drink alcohol and throughout 21 days of daily 2-hour alcohol access. Drug treatment was then discontinued for 3 weeks followed by reinstatement of drug treatment for an additional 3 weeks. RESULTS When P rats were pretreated with drug for 2 weeks prior to onset of alcohol access, only NTX + VAR in combination blocked the acquisition of alcohol drinking in alcohol-naïve P rats. When drug treatment was initiated concomitantly with the first opportunity to drink alcohol, NTX alone, VAR alone, and NTX + VAR blocked the acquisition of alcohol drinking. Following termination of drug treatment, NTX + VAR and VAR alone continued to reduce alcohol drinking but by the end of 3 weeks without drug treatment, alcohol intake in all groups was comparable to that seen in the vehicle-treated group as the expression of a genetic predisposition toward high alcohol drinking emerged in the drug-free P rats. After 3 weeks without drug treatment, reinstatement of NTX + VAR treatment again reduced alcohol intake. CONCLUSIONS A combination of NTX + VAR, when administered prior to, or concomitantly with, the first opportunity to drink alcohol, blocks the acquisition of alcohol drinking during both initial access to alcohol and during a later period of alcohol access in P rats with a genetic predisposition toward high alcohol intake. The results suggest that NTX + VAR may be effective in curtailing alcohol drinking in individuals at high genetic risk of developing alcoholism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Julian E. Dilley
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | | | - Teal N. Smith
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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8
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Grisel JE, Beasley JB, Bertram EC, Decker BE, Duan CA, Etuma M, Hand A, Locklear MN, Whitmire MP. Initial subjective reward: single-exposure conditioned place preference to alcohol in mice. Front Neurosci 2014; 8:345. [PMID: 25408633 PMCID: PMC4219544 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2014.00345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Most adults consume alcohol with relative impunity, but about 10–20% of users persist (or progress) in their consumption, despite mounting and serious repercussions. Identifying at-risk individuals before neuroadaptative changes associated with chronic use become well ingrained is thus a key step in mitigating and preventing the end stage disease and its devastating impacts. Explaining liability has been impeded, in part, by the absence of animal models for assessing initial sensitivity to the drug's reinforcing properties, an important endophenotype in the trajectory toward excessive drinking. Here we assess the initial rewarding effects of the drug in a novel application of the conditioned place preference paradigm. In contrast to previous studies that have all employed repeated drug administration, we demonstrated a robust preference for a context paired with a single exposure to 1.5 g/kg EtOH in male and female subjects of three strains. This model validates an assay of initial sensitivity to the subjective rewarding effects of alcohol, a widely used drug with multifarious impacts on both brain and society, and provides a new tool for theory-driven endophenotypic pharmacogenetic approaches to understanding and treating addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Chunyu A Duan
- Neuroscience, Furman University Greenville, SC, USA ; Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Mahder Etuma
- Neuroscience, Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA, USA
| | - Annie Hand
- Neuroscience, Furman University Greenville, SC, USA
| | - Mallory N Locklear
- Neuroscience, Furman University Greenville, SC, USA ; Neurology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, State University of New York Stony Brook, NY, USA
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Müller DJ, Likhodi O, Heinz A. Neural markers of genetic vulnerability to drug addiction. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2011; 3:277-99. [PMID: 21161757 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2009_25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
This chapter will summarize genetics findings derived from various strategies and highlight important neural markers (or correlates) in some specific and extensively studied genes. Most studies highlighted here focus on alcohol and nicotine dependence (AD and ND, respectively). AD and ND are among the most prevalent addictive disorders worldwide, are among the best studied, and are also associated globally with the largest socioeconomic impact.We describe different mechanisms through which genes can have an impact on the addictive behaviors, distinguishing between the genes that inscribe the proteins affecting the metabolism of the addictive substance (e.g., ADH/ALDH for alcohol or CYP2A6 for nicotine) and genes that code for the brain transmitter systems, such as genes involved in cerebral neurotransmission thought to be involved in addiction (e.g., brain reward system, mood regulation, opioid system). Strategies include linkage analyses, association studies, whole genome association studies as well as intermediate/endophenotype studies. Moreover, some important findings derived from animal studies and from neuroimaging studies are highlighted. In conclusion, we provide the reader with an overview of most important studies related to AD and ND and give an outlook how these findings may become useful and beneficial in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Müller
- Department of Psychiatry, Charité University Medicine, Campus Charité Mitte, Schumannstrasse, Berlin, Germany
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10
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Franz CE, York TP, Eaves LJ, Mendoza SP, Hauger RL, Hellhammer DH, Jacobson KC, Levine S, Lupien SJ, Lyons MJ, Prom-Wormley E, Xian H, Kremen WS. Genetic and environmental influences on cortisol regulation across days and contexts in middle-aged men. Behav Genet 2010; 40:467-79. [PMID: 20238238 PMCID: PMC2886910 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-010-9352-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2009] [Accepted: 03/03/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cortisol is an indicator of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis responsivity to stress, but few twin studies have examined the heritability of cortisol concentrations in adults across the diurnal cycle and in different contexts. Saliva samples were provided by 783 middle-aged male twins on one laboratory and two home days as part of the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging. Significant cortisol heritability estimates were found for laboratory measures only: awakening (.56); 30 min after awakening (.48); 1000 h (.42); mean output across the day (.43); and mean cortisol awakening response (.64). Twin correlations at home were low. In the laboratory, they were unchanged for fraternal twins, but increased for identical twins. Greater measurement error at home did not appear to account for home-laboratory differences. The results suggest that genetic factors influence cortisol responses to specific environmental stressors. Thus, cortisol levels are correlated in identical twins only when they undergo similar experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol E Franz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California-San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0738, USA.
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11
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Barfield ET, Barry SM, Hodgin HB, Thompson BM, Allen SS, Grisel JE. Beta-endorphin mediates behavioral despair and the effect of ethanol on the tail suspension test in mice. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2010; 34:1066-72. [PMID: 20384608 DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2010.01182.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The opioid peptide beta-endorphin (beta-E) is synthesized and released in response to stressful stimuli as well as acute alcohol administration. The release of beta-E following exposure to an inescapable aversive situation may mediate behaviors that contribute to allostasis of the stress response. The present study examines the effects of beta-E on immobility in assays involving inescapable stress, both under basal conditions and after acute administration of EtOH. METHODS Female and male transgenic mice with varying capacities to translate beta-E were subjected to either the forced swim (FST, Experiment 1) or the tail suspension test (TST, Experiment 2). In Experiment 3, mice were divided into three groups based on hormonal status (male, female-estrous, and female-nonestrous) and injected with either 1 g/kg EtOH or equivolume saline 14 minutes prior to behavioral assessment on the TST. RESULTS Experiments 1 and 2 demonstrated a direct relationship between beta-E levels and immobility. There were also sex differences in behavior in these tests, with males displaying more immobility than females. A main effect of genotype in Experiment 3 replicated findings in Experiments 1 and 2. There was also an effect of EtOH (increasing immobility) and a significant interaction reflecting a particularly robust effect of the drug in mice with low beta-E. In addition, there were interactions between beta-E, EtOH effects, and hormonal status. CONCLUSIONS These findings support the contention that beta-E moderates behavioral responses to stressful stimuli and suggest a role for this peptide in coping behavior. Furthermore, the effects of EtOH on the response to stress may be mediated by beta-E. Sex differences in this influence may contribute to sex differences in disease susceptibility and expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth T Barfield
- Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina 29609, USA
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12
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Crabbe JC, Bell RL, Ehlers CL. Human and laboratory rodent low response to alcohol: is better consilience possible? Addict Biol 2010; 15:125-44. [PMID: 20148776 DOI: 10.1111/j.1369-1600.2009.00191.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
If people are brought into the laboratory and given alcohol, there are pronounced differences among individuals in many responses to the drug. Some participants in alcohol challenge protocols show a cluster of 'low level of responses to alcohol' determined by observing post-drinking-related changes in subjective, motor and physiological effects at a given dose level. Those individuals characterized as having low level of response (LR) to alcohol have been shown to be at increased risk for a lifetime diagnosis of alcohol dependence (AD), and this relationship between low LR and AD appears to be in part genetic. LR to alcohol is an area where achieving greater consilience between the human and the rodent phenotypes would seem to be highly likely. However, despite extensive data from both human and rodent studies, few attempts have been made to evaluate the human and animal data systematically in order to understand which aspects of LR appear to be most directly comparable across species and thus the most promising for further study. We review four general aspects of LR that could be compared between humans and laboratory animals: (1) behavioral measures of subjective intoxication; (2) body sway; (3) endocrine responses; and (4) stimulant, autonomic and electrophysiological responses. None of these aspects of LR provide completely face-valid direct comparisons across species. Nevertheless, one of the most replicated findings in humans is the low subjective response, but, as it may reflect either aversively valenced and/or positively valenced responses to alcohol as usually assessed, it is unclear which rodent responses are analogous. Stimulated heart rate appears to be consistent in animal and human studies, although at-risk subjects appear to be more rather than less sensitive to alcohol using this measure. The hormone and electrophysiological data offer strong possibilities of understanding the neurobiological mechanisms, but the rodent data in particular are rather sparse and unsystematic. Therefore, we suggest that more effort is still needed to collect data using refined measures designed to be more directly comparable in humans and animals. Additionally, the genetically mediated mechanisms underlying this endophenotype need to be characterized further across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C Crabbe
- Portland Alcohol Research Center, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University and VA Medical Center, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
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13
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Ouellet-Morin I, Dionne G, Pérusse D, Lupien SJ, Arseneault L, Barr RG, Tremblay RE, Boivin M. Daytime cortisol secretion in 6-month-old twins: genetic and environmental contributions as a function of early familial adversity. Biol Psychiatry 2009; 65:409-16. [PMID: 19013558 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2008.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2008] [Revised: 09/17/2008] [Accepted: 10/02/2008] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysregulation of daytime cortisol activity has been associated with stress-related pathologies. Research suggests that early environmental adversity might shape cortisol activity. However, little is known about the genetic and environmental contributions to early cortisol and how this varies as a function of environmental circumstances. The goals of the study were to estimate the genetic and environmental contributions to daytime cortisol secretion in infant twins and to investigate whether these contributions varied as a function of familial adversity (FA). METHODS Participants were 517 6-month-old twins. Salivary cortisol was collected when the infants woke up at home and in the morning, upon arrival at the laboratory. Familial adversity was defined by seven perinatal and postnatal risk factors: maternal smoking during pregnancy, low birth weight, low family income, low maternal education, single parenthood, young motherhood, and maternal hostile/reactive behaviors. Genetic and environment contributions to cortisol activity were estimated for high (three risk factors or more: 21.3% of the sample) versus low FA. RESULTS Genetic factors accounted for cortisol levels in different ways: a moderate "main effect" of genes was found for home-based awakening cortisol, whereas the contribution of genes to morning cortisol was conditional to FA. Genetic factors accounted for most of the variance in morning cortisol in high family adversity but not in low family adversity. CONCLUSIONS Early FA modulates the heritability of morning cortisol in infants. The results are consistent with the diathesis-stress model, with genetic factors more likely to be expressed in adverse settings.
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14
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Grisel JE, Bartels JL, Allen SA, Turgeon VL. Influence of beta-Endorphin on anxious behavior in mice: interaction with EtOH. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2008; 200:105-15. [PMID: 18604523 PMCID: PMC2818628 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-008-1161-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2007] [Accepted: 04/03/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The opioid peptide beta-endorphin (beta-E) is synthesized by the pro-opiomelanocortin gene in response to environmental stressors and alcohol administration and is implicated in the behavioral sequelae associated with these stimuli. OBJECTIVES We sought to determine the influence of beta-E on the stress response by evaluating basal measures of anxiety as well as on EtOH-induced anxiolytic behavior using transgenic mice that differ with respect to beta-E. METHODS Anxious behavior was evaluated for male and female heterozygous, wild-type, and beta-E knockout mice using the Light-Dark Box and Plus Maze assays. Subsequent tests evaluated behavior 20 min after administration of intraperitoneal saline or EtOH (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 g/kg). RESULTS We observed a direct relationship between beta-E levels and the percentage of entries into open arms of the Plus Maze as well as the time spent in either the open arms or the light compartment of the Light-Dark box during basal conditions, suggesting that this peptide normally inhibits anxious behavior. However, mice lacking beta-E demonstrated an exaggerated anxiolytic response to EtOH in these assays. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that beta-E moderates the response to stressful stimuli and supports the hypothesis that this peptide influences the behavioral effects of EtOH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith E. Grisel
- Furman University, 3300 Poinsett Hwy, Greenville, SC 29613, Phone: (864) 294-3218, FAX: (864) 294-2206
| | - Jessica L. Bartels
- Neural Signals Incorporated, 3400 McClure Bridge Road, Bldg. D Suite B, Duluth, GA, 30096
| | - Stephani A. Allen
- Furman University, 3300 Poinsett Hwy, Greenville, SC 29613, Phone: (864) 294-3218, FAX: (864) 294-2206
| | - Victoria L. Turgeon
- Furman University, 3300 Poinsett Hwy, Greenville, SC 29613, Phone: (864) 294-3218, FAX: (864) 294-2206
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15
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Abrahao KP, Quadros IM, Souza-Formigoni MLO. Morphine attenuates the expression of sensitization to ethanol, but opioid antagonists do not. Neuroscience 2008; 156:857-64. [PMID: 18804151 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2008.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2008] [Revised: 08/08/2008] [Accepted: 08/09/2008] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Behavioral sensitization to ethanol is characterized by an increased locomotor activity after repeated exposure. A great variability exists among species and strains in the development of sensitization. There is a growing amount of evidence to indicate that the opioid system is involved in alcoholism; it is possible, therefore, that this system also modulates the sensitization to ethanol. In this study we evaluated the role of the opioid system in determining the variability of the sensitized response to ethanol. Mice received repeated administrations of ethanol (2.2 g/kg) or saline every other day for 10 days. According to their locomotor response on the last day of treatment, ethanol-treated animals were classified into two groups: sensitized or non-sensitized mice. After the treatment, mice were submitted to four challenges 48 h apart. In experiments 1 and 2, mice were challenged, respectively, with i.p. administration of opioid antagonists (naloxone or naltrexone) or an opioid agonist (morphine), followed immediately by 2.2 g/kg ethanol. In experiment 3, animals received morphine by i.c.v., followed by 2.2 g/kg of ethanol (i.p.). Pretreatment with opioid antagonists (naloxone or naltrexone) did not block the expression of ethanol sensitization; however pretreatment with morphine attenuated the increased locomotor activity after ethanol administration in sensitized mice. In experiment 4, after the ethanol or saline treatment, mice brains were processed and brain mu opioid binding was assessed by autoradiography using [3H]D-Ala2,N-mePhe4, Gly-ol5-enkephalin ([3H]DAMGO). No differences were seen between any of the groups of mice, so the agonist effect is not likely to be mediated by differences in binding to mu opioid receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- K P Abrahao
- Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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16
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Roth-Deri I, Green-Sadan T, Yadid G. Beta-endorphin and drug-induced reward and reinforcement. Prog Neurobiol 2008; 86:1-21. [PMID: 18602444 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2008.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2008] [Accepted: 06/11/2008] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Although drugs of abuse have different acute mechanisms of action, their brain pathways of reward exhibit common functional effects upon both acute and chronic administration. Long known for its analgesic effect, the opioid beta-endorphin is now shown to induce euphoria, and to have rewarding and reinforcing properties. In this review, we will summarize the present neurobiological and behavioral evidences that support involvement of beta-endorphin in drug-induced reward and reinforcement. Currently, evidence supports a prominent role for beta-endorphin in the reward pathways of cocaine and alcohol. The existing information indicating the importance of beta-endorphin neurotransmission in mediating the reward pathways of nicotine and THC, is thus far circumstantial. The studies described herein employed diverse techniques, such as biochemical measurements of beta-endorphin in various brain sites and plasma, and behavioral measurements, conducted following elimination (via administration of anti-beta-endorphin antibodies or using mutant mice) or augmentation (by intracerebral administration) of beta-endorphin. We suggest that the reward pathways for different addictive drugs converge to a common pathway in which beta-endorphin is a modulating element. Beta-endorphin is involved also with distress. However, reviewing the data collected so far implies a discrete role, beyond that of a stress response, for beta-endorphin in mediating the substance of abuse reward pathway. This may occur via interacting with the mesolimbic dopaminergic system and also by its interesting effects on learning and memory. The functional meaning of beta-endorphin in the process of drug-seeking behavior is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilana Roth-Deri
- Neuropharmacology Section, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and The Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
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17
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van der Zwaluw CS, van den Wildenberg E, Wiers RW, Franke B, Buitelaar J, Scholte RHJ, Engels RCME. Polymorphisms in the µ-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) and the implications for alcohol dependence in humans. Pharmacogenomics 2007; 8:1427-36. [DOI: 10.2217/14622416.8.10.1427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Twin and adoption studies have shown that alcohol dependence contains a substantial genetic component. In attempts to identify the genetic factors involved, association studies have linked the opioid system to alcohol dependence, with a main focus on the OPRM1 gene encoding the μ-opioid receptor. Our aim was to conduct a systematic review of the literature on the associations between polymorphisms in OPRM1 and alcohol dependence. We addressed findings of 12 studies that met our inclusion criteria. All studies employed a case–control design and included alcohol dependence as a dependent outcome measure. Our review showed that clinical studies do not unequivocally support an association between polymorphisms in OPRM1 and alcohol dependence. Factors that complicate genetic research on alcohol dependence, such as gene–environment interaction, and genetic and clinical heterogeneity, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen S van der Zwaluw
- Radboud University Nijmegen, Behavioural Science Institute, PO Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Reinout W Wiers
- Radboud University Nijmegen, Behavioural Science Institute, PO Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- IVO Addiction, Research Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Barbara Franke
- Radboud University Nijmegen, Department of Human Genetics, Nijmegen Medical Centre, The Netherlands
- Radboud University Nijmegen, Department of Psychiatry, Nijmegen Medical Centre, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Buitelaar
- Radboud University Nijmegen, Department of Psychiatry, Nijmegen Medical Centre, The Netherlands
| | - Ron HJ Scholte
- Radboud University Nijmegen, Behavioural Science Institute, PO Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rutger CME Engels
- Radboud University Nijmegen, Behavioural Science Institute, PO Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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18
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Plawecki MH, Decarlo R, Ramchandani VA, O'Connor S. IMPROVED TRANSFORMATION OF MORPHOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS FOR A PRIORI PARAMETER ESTIMATION IN A PHYSIOLOGICALLY-BASED PHARMACOKINETIC MODEL OF ETHANOL. Biomed Signal Process Control 2007; 2:97-110. [PMID: 18379641 PMCID: PMC2180397 DOI: 10.1016/j.bspc.2007.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Prescription of the brain's time course of exposure to experimentally administered ethanol can be achieved with intravenous infusion profiles computed from a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model of alcohol distribution and elimination. Previous parameter estimation employed transformations of an individual's age, height, weight and gender inferred from the literature, with modeling errors overcome with real-time, intermittent feedback. Current research applications, such as ethanol exposures administered during fMRI scanning, require open-loop infusions, thus improved transformation of morphometric measurements.Records of human breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) clamp experiments were analyzed. Optimal, unique PBPK parameters of a model of the distribution and elimination of ethanol were determined for each record and found to be in concordance with parameter values published by other investigators. A linear transformation between the readily measurable physical characteristics or morphometrics, including gender, age, height, weight, and TBW estimates, and the model parameters were then determined in a least squares sense according to the formula theta=F(x)=F(m)x where x=(age height weight TBW)(T)inR(4) and theta =(R(C) V(P) V(B) m(max)k(AT))(T)inR(5).The transformation was then evaluated with several parameter prediction performance measures. A substantial improvement in all error statistics, in relation to an earlier affine transformation that used only body weight as the relevant morphometric was obtained. Deviation from the measured response was reduced from 27 to 20%. Error in parameter estimation was reduced from 109 to 38%. Percent alcohol provided in error was reduced from 46 to 28%. Error in infusion profile estimation was reduced from 55 to 33%.The algorithm described, which optimizes individual pharmacokinetic parameter values and then subsequent extension to a priori prediction, while not unique, can be readily be adapted to other molecules and pharmacokinetic models. This includes those used for distinct purposes, such as automated control of anesthetic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin H Plawecki
- Purdue University Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, West Lafayette, IN 47906
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19
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Response of the HPA-axis to alcohol and stress as a function of alcohol dependence and family history of alcoholism. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2007; 32:293-305. [PMID: 17349749 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2007.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2006] [Revised: 11/10/2006] [Accepted: 01/09/2007] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis has been observed in chronic alcoholics and in non-alcoholic sons of alcoholic parents, while genetic and environmental factors, such as stress, may play a significant role in the development of alcoholism. The present study was designed to investigate the response of the HPA-axis to alcohol and stress as a function of family history of alcoholism and chronic alcohol abuse. We determined changes in plasma adrenal corticotrophin (ACTH) and cortisol concentrations in response to a placebo or an alcohol (0.50g ethanol/kg body wt) drink and to a stress task performed 30 min following ingestion of either the placebo or the alcohol drink in social and heavy drinkers with [high risk (HR)] and without [low risk (LR)] a family history of alcoholism. Thus, four groups of healthy male individuals, low risk with no alcohol-dependence diagnosis (LRNAD), high risk with no alcohol-dependence diagnosis (HRNAD), low-risk alcohol dependent (LRAD) and high-risk alcohol dependent (HRAD), participated in the four experimental sessions given in random order. Basal plasma ACTH levels of LRNAD participants were higher from those of the other three groups of participants. Basal plasma cortisol levels of HRAD participants were higher from those of LRNAD and HRNAD but not of LRAD participants. The stress-induced increases of plasma ACTH and cortisol concentrations were more pronounced in LRNAD participants. The alcohol drink prevented the stress-induced increases in plasma ACTH and cortisol of all groups of participants. The self-ratings of anxiety were attenuated in LRNAD and LRAD participants in the alcohol only session and in HRNAD and HRAD participants in the alcohol plus stress session. In conclusion, there are differences in the activity of the HPA-axis as a function of family history and alcohol dependence, while the effect of an alcohol drink on the self-rating of anxiety may be influenced by both family history and stress.
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20
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van den Wildenberg E, Wiers RW, Dessers J, Janssen RGJH, Lambrichs EH, Smeets HJM, van Breukelen GJP. A functional polymorphism of the mu-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) influences cue-induced craving for alcohol in male heavy drinkers. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2007; 31:1-10. [PMID: 17207095 DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2006.00258.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mu-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) codes for the mu-opioid receptor, which binds beta-endorphin. The A118G polymorphism in this gene affects beta-endorphin binding such that the Asp40 variant (G allele) binds beta-endorphin 3 times more tightly than the more common Asn40 variant (A allele). This study investigated the influence of the A118G polymorphism on cue reactivity after exposure to an alcoholic beverage in male heavy drinkers. METHODS Participants were either homozygous for the A allele (n=84) or carrying at least 1 copy of the G allele (n=24). All participants took part in a cue-reactivity paradigm where they were exposed to water and beer in 3-minute trials. The dependent variables of main interest were subjective craving for alcohol, subjective arousal, and saliva production. RESULTS G allele carriers reported significantly more craving for alcohol than the A allele participants (as indicated by the within-subject difference in craving after beer vs after water exposure). No differences were found for subjective arousal and saliva. Both groups did not differ in family history of alcoholism. Participants with the G allele reported a significantly higher lifetime prevalence of drug use than participants homozygous for the A allele. CONCLUSIONS A stronger urge to drink alcohol after exposure to an alcoholic beverage might contribute to a heightened risk for developing alcohol-related problems in individuals with a copy of the G allele. The G allele might also predispose to drug use in general.
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Abstract
Evolutionary psychiatry emerged from the conceptual successes of sociobiology and evolutionary psychology. It will need to avoid the many mistakes that biology-free Evolutionary Psychology has been prey to. It should not ignore the wealth of information that exists between the phenotypic expression of symptoms and the genotypic sources of core brain/mind processes that are disrupted in psychiatric disorders. Syndromal-conceptual thinking has become a barrier to illuminating the biological sources of psychiatric disorders. Endophenoytpic-biomarker approaches now offer robust alternatives for generating linkages between psychiatrically relevant psychological changes and the neurobiological infrastructure of disordered mentation. Here I summarize recent advances in endophenotypic thinking in biological psychiatry, and suggest that various core emotional-affective processes may be among the most important endophenotypes that need to be clarified at both neurobiological and genetic levels of analysis. To this end, I discuss strategies to link basic emotional processes that are commonly imbalanced in psychiatric disorders to neuroanatomical, neurochemical, neurophysiology, and molecular genetic levels of analysis. Conjoint animal behavioral-genetic and gene expression, microarray analyses can clarify a variety of key emotional endophenotypes and thereby provide a coherent infrastructure for psychiatric systematics. To further clarify the neurobiological dimensions of psychiatric disorders, we must also focus on psychosocial and environmental stress vectors that converge to create imbalanced emotional and motivational brain activities of psychiatric significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaak Panksepp
- Center for the Study of Animal Well-Being, College of Veterinary Medicine (VCAPP), Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
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22
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Hines LM, Ray L, Hutchison K, Tabakoff B. Alcoholism: the dissection for endophenotypes. DIALOGUES IN CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE 2005. [PMID: 16262210 PMCID: PMC3181729 DOI: 10.31887/dcns.2005.7.2/lhines] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol dependence (alcoholism) is a complex disorder attributed to the interaction of genetic and environmental factors that form a collage of "disease" predisposition, which is not identical for every alcohol-dependent individual. There is considerable evidence to demonstrate that genetic predisposition accounts for roughly half the risk in the development of alcohol dependence. Both family and population studies have identified a number of genomic regions with suggestive links to alcoholism, yet there have been relatively few definitive findings with regard to genetic determinants of alcoholism. This ambiguity can be attributed to a multitude of complications of studying complex mental disorders, such as clinical heterogeneity, polygenic determinants, reduced penetrance, and epistatic effects. Complex mental disorders are clinical manifestations described by combinations of various signs and symptoms. One approach to overcoming the ambiguity in studying the association between genetic risk factors and disease is to dissect the complex, heterogeneous disorder by using intermediate phenotypes--or endophenotypes--to generate more homogeneous diagnostic groupings than an all-encompassing definition, such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV)-derived term "alcohol dependence" or the commonly used term "alcoholism." The advantage of using endophenotypes is that the number of influential factors that contribute to these characteristics should be fewer and more easily identified than the number of factors affecting the heterogeneous entity of alcohol dependence (alcoholism). A variety of alcohol-related characteristics have been investigated in epidemiological, clinical, and basic research as potential endophenotypes of alcohol dependence. These include phenotypes related to alcohol metabolism, physiological and endocrine measures, neural imaging, electrophysiology, personality, drinking behavior, and responses to alcohol and alcohol-derived cues. This review summarizes the current literature, focused on human data, of promising endophenotypes for dissecting alcoholism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Hines
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Co 80045-0511, USA
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23
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Abstract
Preclinical and clinical data implicate the endogenous opioid system in alcohol dependence. In vitro studies show that rodent pituitary and hypothalamic tissue responds to acute exposure to alcohol by releasing beta-endorphins. In vivo studies suggest differential activity of endogenous opioid receptors in rodents with high and low alcohol preference. Similarly, humans with a family history of alcohol dependence also show a heightened endorphin response to an acute challenge of alcohol compared with those with no family history of alcohol dependence.The effects of opioid agonists and antagonists on rodent and human alcohol consumption further support the opioid-alcohol link. In rodents and humans, small doses of opioid agonists increase alcohol consumption, while pretreatment with large doses decreases consumption. The opioid antagonist naltrexone decreases rodent alcohol consumption, particularly in low doses under acute and intermittent schedules. Most clinical trials in patients with alcohol dependence support modest therapeutic effects of naltrexone in decreasing alcohol consumption. Efforts to identify subgroups of alcohol-dependent patients responsive to naltrexone, as well as psychosocial and pharmacological augmentation strategies, may further improve the clinical usefulness of the drug.
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Wüst S, Federenko IS, van Rossum EFC, Koper JW, Kumsta R, Entringer S, Hellhammer DH. A psychobiological perspective on genetic determinants of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis activity. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2005; 1032:52-62. [PMID: 15677395 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1314.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
From the perspective of psychobiological stress research we present a brief overview of findings documenting a significant impact of genetic factors on the activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Quantitative genetic studies in twins as well as association studies, primarily on polymorphisms in the glucocorticoid receptor gene, are depicted. Recent findings suggest that the collaboration of psychobiology and molecular genetics is a promising interdisciplinary approach that will significantly contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the link between stress, the HPA axis, and HPA-related clinical states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Wüst
- Department of Psychobiology, University of Trier, Johanniterufer 15, 54290 Trier, Germany.
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25
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Zalewska-Kaszubska J, Czarnecka E. Deficit in beta-endorphin peptide and tendency to alcohol abuse. Peptides 2005; 26:701-5. [PMID: 15752586 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2004.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2004] [Revised: 11/09/2004] [Accepted: 11/10/2004] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Human and animal studies suggest that there is a correlation between endogenous opioid peptides, especially beta-endorphin, and alcohol abuse. It has been proven that the consumption of alcohol activates the endogenous opioid system. Consumption of alcohol results in an increase in beta-endorphin level in those regions of the human brain, which are associated with a reward system. However, it has also been observed that habitual alcohol consumption leads to a beta-endorphin deficiency. It is a well-documented phenomenon that people with a genetic deficit of beta-endorphin peptide are particularly susceptible to alcoholism. The plasma level of beta-endorphin in subjects genetically at high risk of excessive alcohol consumption shows lower basal activity of this peptide. Its release increases significantly after alcohol consumption. Clinical and laboratory studies confirm that certain genetically determined factors might increase the individual's vulnerability to alcohol abuse.
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26
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Wüst S, Federenko IS, van Rossum EFC, Koper JW, Hellhammer DH. Habituation of cortisol responses to repeated psychosocial stress-further characterization and impact of genetic factors. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2005; 30:199-211. [PMID: 15471617 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2004.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2004] [Revised: 07/04/2004] [Accepted: 07/05/2004] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Although a rapid response habituation to repeated stress exposure is a key characteristic of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, several studies document a substantial inter-individual variability of such HPA response patterns. In order to further investigate the individual differences in the habituation of this important neuroendocrine system to psychosocial stress, 54 male twin pairs were exposed to moderate psychosocial stress on three occasions, each exposure separated by a 1-week interval. Additionally, an ACTH(1-24) stimulation test (1 microg) and a dexamethasone suppression test (0.5mg) were performed. Although on average the expected decrease of mean cortisol and ACTH responses across stress exposures was observed, only 52% of the subjects showed this well-documented general decline and almost 16% of the participants even showed a response sensitization across sessions. Furthermore, a weak habituation was related to low cortisol responses to both the first stress exposure as well as the ACTH challenge. Moreover, genetic analyses did not reveal any evidence for a substantial heritability of the individual cortisol response habituation or an association between this habituation and two common polymorphisms in the glucocorticoid receptor gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Wüst
- Department of Psychobiology, University of Trier, Johanniterufer 15, 54290 Trier, Germany.
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27
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Abstract
Although far from conclusive, evidence implicating the endogenous opioid system in the development and maintenance of alcoholism is growing. Currently available data suggest that ethanol increases opioid neurotransmission and that this activation is part of the mechanism responsible for its reinforcing effects. Findings from preclinical research indicate that ethanol consumption and ethanol-induced dopamine (DA) release are both reduced by opioid antagonists. Individual differences in endogenous opioid activity have been linked to inherited risks for alcoholism in studies comparing ethanol-preferring and nonpreferring rats, as well as in studies using targeted gene mutation (knockout) strategies. To a large extent, findings from human studies have paralleled those from the preclinical work. Persons who differ in family history of alcoholism have been shown to also differ in basal beta-endorphin activity, beta-endorphin response to alcohol, and subjective and HPA axis hormonal response to opioid antagonists. Findings from clinical trials indicate that opioid antagonists may reduce ethanol consumption in alcoholics, particularly in persons who have resumed drinking. Nevertheless, many questions remain unanswered about the use of opioid antagonists in alcoholism treatment and about the exact role of the opioid system in ethanol preference and reward. The progression of knowledge in this field suggests that many of these questions are imminently answerable, as our ability to characterize relationships between opioid activity and human behavior continues to develop. This paper summarizes both the progress that has been made and the gaps that remain in our understanding of the interactions between the endogenous opioid system and risk for alcoholism.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M Oswald
- Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry, The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Ross Research Building, Room 863, 720 Rutland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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28
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Seymour PM. Long-term treatment of an addictive personality. Bull Menninger Clin 2004; 67:328-46. [PMID: 14733449 DOI: 10.1521/bumc.67.4.328.26980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
There is infrequent discussion of long-term psychotherapy of persons with addiction, particularly in the self-psychology literature. In addition, some question whether long-term psychotherapy can be helpful in severe psychiatric disorders. The author describes the treatment of a woman with multiple diagnoses, including bulimia and alcohol and drug addiction, which took place over a period of almost 7 years. These issues are addressed from a self-psychological perspective, with progression of the treatment from early facilitation of a selfobject transference to more intense selfobject transference-countertransference states. Behavioral interventions (e.g., recommendation of inpatient chemical dependency treatment) are also discussed. The author describes the patient's dramatic progress and subsequent regression. Finally, there is a discussion of the addiction from self-psychological and biological perspectives of this woman's particular developmental and treatment issues, as well as a discussion of the confrontation and limit setting in a self-psychologically oriented treatment.
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29
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Egli M. Peptides: their role in excess alcohol drinking and their promise as a therapeutic tool. Physiol Behav 2003; 79:89-93. [PMID: 12818713 DOI: 10.1016/s0031-9384(03)00108-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Egli
- Division of Basic Research, The National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 6000 Executive Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Bartels M, Van den Berg M, Sluyter F, Boomsma DI, de Geus EJC. Heritability of cortisol levels: review and simultaneous analysis of twin studies. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2003; 28:121-37. [PMID: 12510008 DOI: 10.1016/s0306-4530(02)00003-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Cortisol has a pivotal role in physical and mental health, but relatively few studies have paid attention to individual differences in cortisol levels and the etiology of these differences, in particular their possible genetic basis. In this article we review the existing literature on the heritability of cortisol levels. Most of the studies, which have been carried out in genetically informative samples, lack methodological consistency with regard to frequency and timing of sample collection. The circadian rhythm in cortisol levels was often not taken into account. A power analysis shows that none of these studies used adequate sample sizes to distinguish genetic from shared environmental influences as a cause for familial aggregation. Results of a simultaneous analysis of 5 comparable twin studies suggest a heritability of 62%. Hence, we conclude that, to understand the contribution of genetic and (shared) environmental influences to variation in basal cortisol levels, future studies should be designed more rigorously with strict collection and sampling protocols, sufficient sample size and repeated measures across multiple days.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Bartels
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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31
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Zimmermann U, Hundt W, Spring K, Grabner A, Holsboer F. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system adaptation to detoxification in alcohol-dependent patients is affected by family history of alcoholism. Biol Psychiatry 2003; 53:75-84. [PMID: 12513947 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-3223(02)01444-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol withdrawal profoundly affects the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) system. We investigated whether a family history of alcoholism modulates HPA response to pharmacologic intervention during detoxification in alcohol-dependent patients. METHODS Sixteen family history negative (FH-N) and 19 family history positive (FH-P) alcohol-dependent patients were admitted for withdrawal. All 35 patients were investigated 1 week after remission of withdrawal symptoms; 17 patients were also tested during acute withdrawal. Dexamethasone 1.5 mg was given orally at 11 PM, followed by 100 microg corticotropin-releasing hormone (hCRH) administered intravenously at 3 PM the following day. Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol concentrations were determined at 0, 30, 45, 60, and 75 min after CRH. RESULTS During withdrawal, cortisol but not ACTH secretion was increased in patients compared with 19 control subjects matched for age and gender. After withdrawal, cortisol was normal in FH-P but still increased in FH-N patients versus control subjects, and ACTH was marginally decreased in FH-P patients only. Both hormones were increased in FH-N versus FH-P patients. CONCLUSIONS Recovery from alcohol withdrawal-induced impairment of HPA system regulation occurs earlier in FH-P than FH-N patients, indicating that the efficacy of central neuroadaptation to this ethanol-related stimulus may be related to genetic factors.
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Abstract
A review of previous results and the new data in this report show clearly that the Falk model of adjunctive behavior is an adequate analogue of human alcoholism and can be applied to induce excessive ethanol consumption. New data on the consumption of sweet flavored ethanol solutions and, especially, sweet alone solutions during brief periods of ethanol withdrawal provide some significant insights concerning the possible physiological basis for cravings in humans. Because voluntary consumption of ethanol is the normal process by which alcoholism develops, a general set of environmental and other experimental conditions that produce behavioral excess; adjunctive behavior, electrical stimulation of the brain, and salt arousal of drinking are discussed in some detail. Neuronal circuits of the lateral hypothalamus are important because some of the cells are chemosensitive and monitor osmolality of the blood and initiate drinking in the normal regulation of body fluids. Alcohol in very small amounts has a direct effect on these cells that also project to lower spinal motor neurons and modulate the level of excitability in spinal reflexes and thereby reactivity to environmental stimulation. Taste and other sensory information from the mouth arrives in presynaptic endings on these same cells by a multitude of indirect multisynaptic pathways. A theoretical model is developed to explain how tactile and taste sensory information and what is initially a nonspecific general state of motor arousal interact together to produce an excessive consumption or craving for ethanol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Wayner
- Department of Biology, Division of Life Sciences, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 78249-0662, USA.
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Differences in the Responses of the Pituitary ??-Endorphin and Cardiovascular System to Ethanol and Stress as a Function of Family History. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2002. [DOI: 10.1097/00000374-200208000-00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Abstract
This paper is the twenty-third installment of the annual review of research concerning the opiate system. It summarizes papers published during 2000 that studied the behavioral effects of the opiate peptides and antagonists, excluding the purely analgesic effects, although stress-induced analgesia is included. The specific topics covered this year include stress; tolerance and dependence; learning, memory, and reward; eating and drinking; alcohol and other drugs of abuse; sexual activity, pregnancy, and development; mental illness and mood; seizures and other neurological disorders; electrical-related activity; general activity and locomotion; gastrointestinal, renal, and hepatic function; cardiovascular responses; respiration and thermoregulation; and immunological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Vaccarino
- Department of Psychology, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70148, USA.
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Abstract
This article reviews the use of opioid antagonists in the pharmacologic treatment of alcohol dependence. The rationale for using the opioid antagonists naltrexone and nalmefene to prevent relapse in alcohol-dependent subjects is discussed by reviewing past and current clinical trials. The role of psychotherapies, particularly coping skills therapy, in combination with opioid antagonists is highlighted in the presentations of the clinical data. Finally, future research directions for opioid antagonists are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- G O'Leary
- Harvard Medical School, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Program, McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478, USA.
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Abstract
Skin cells produce endogenous opioids in response to light. This results in increased skin and plasma levels of endogenous opioids. Increased plasma levels of endogenous opioids may improve mood and affect behavior. The author suggests that improvement in mood after exposure to light may be related to the light-induced increase in levels of endogenous opioids. The author speculates that genetic factors may affect the response of skin cells to light: different people may have different genetically determined responses to natural or artificial light. The author also suggests that light may affect endogenous opioids via several different mechanisms.
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