Neuroendocrine correlates of depression in abstinent heroin-dependent subjects.

Abstract

The functions of the central alpha-adrenergic, serotoninergic and dopaminergic systems were investigated in 28 heroin-dependent subjects 6-8 weeks after detoxification, and in 22 healthy control subjects (group C). Fourteen heroin-dependent subjects with depressive comorbidity (group A), and 14 heroin-dependent subjects without other Axis I and II pathologies (group B) were included among abstinent substance abusers. Norepinephrine (NE) function was evaluated by growth hormone (GH) responses to acute stimulation with clonidine (clon); serotonin (5-HT) function by prolactin (PRL) and cortisol (CORT) responses to acute stimulation with D-fenfluramine (D-fen) and dopamine (DA) function by GH and PRL responses to acute administration of bromocriptine (brom). Central NE activity, as measured by the GH-clon test, seems to be well preserved both in A and B subjects. PRL and CORT responses to D-fen were significantly blunted both in A subjects and in B subjects, in comparison with control subjects (C); the PRL response in A subjects was significantly lower than in B subjects. The DA system of B subjects was found unimpaired; in contrast, a significantly higher GH response to brom in A subjects (depressed) could express D2 post-synaptic receptor hypersensitivity and, therefore, decreased pre-synaptic DA release. In sum, the study of central monoamine function revealed an alteration only of the 5-HT system in detoxified heroin-dependent subjects without psychiatric comorbidity, which might be a trait character of these subjects, possibly involved in the pathogenesis of the disorder. A more significant impairment of 5-HT function and the hypersensitivity of post-synaptic DA receptors in A subjects suggests that specific biological correlates of psychiatric comorbidity may characterize substance abuser subtypes.

• Authors: G Gerra, A Zaimovic, U Zambelli, R Delsignore, M C Baroni, G Laviola, T Macchia, F Brambilla
• Journal: Psychiatry research (Psychiatry Res) Vol. 96 Issue 3 Pg. 221-34 (Nov 20 2000) ISSN: 0165-1781 [Print] Ireland
• PMID: 11084218 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Adrenergic alpha-Agonists
• Biomarkers
• Dopamine Agonists
• Receptors, Adrenergic
• Receptors, Dopamine
• Receptors, Serotonin
• Serotonin Agents
• Fenfluramine
• Serotonin
• Bromocriptine
• Clonidine
• Dopamine
• Norepinephrine

Topics

• Adrenergic alpha-Agonists (pharmacology)
• Adult
• Analysis of Variance
• Biomarkers
• Brain (metabolism)
• Bromocriptine (pharmacology)
• Case-Control Studies
• Clonidine (pharmacology)
• Depression (metabolism)
• Depressive Disorder, Major (metabolism, psychology)
• Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry)
• Dopamine (metabolism)
• Dopamine Agonists (pharmacology)
• Female
• Fenfluramine (pharmacology)
• Heroin Dependence (metabolism, psychology, therapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Norepinephrine (metabolism)
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Receptors, Adrenergic (drug effects)
• Receptors, Dopamine (drug effects)
• Receptors, Serotonin (drug effects)
• Serotonin (metabolism)
• Serotonin Agents (pharmacology)
• Substance Abuse Detection