Authors: Falk Kiefer Mirko Horntrich Holger Jahn Klaus Wiedemann
Publish Date: 2002/06/25
Volume: 162, Issue: 4, Pages: 433-437
Abstract
Rationale Associations between several psychopathological alterations and lowered βendorphinβE plasma levels have already been stated in former studies However whereas single measures during static conditions generally failed in linking βE levels with psychopathology dynamic changes of βE in particular have been shown to be associated with spells of anxiety and depression During alcohol withdrawal a decreased secretion of βE with a delayed normalization has been reported but up to now only few data became available regarding the interaction of plasma βE and psychopathological parametersMethods We observed selfrated anxiety depression and craving during alcohol withdrawal and assessed βE levels RIA in a consecutive sample of 60 alcoholics on day 1 and day 14 after onset of withdrawal and in 30 healthy volunteers To control for mutual interactions of βE and the pituitary–adrenocortical hormone secretion plasma corticotropin ACTH and cortisol were also determinedResults In accordance with prior studies βE was significantly lowered on day 1 and day 14 of alcohol withdrawal relative to controls Plasma levels of ACTH correlated significantly with βE in alcoholics at both time points and in controls without differing significantly between the groups Selfrated anxiety depression and alcohol craving decreased significantly between day 1 and day 14 Levels of βE were inversely correlated with anxiety day 1 r=–058 and day 14 r=–071 Partial correlation coefficients controlling for ACTH plasma levels revealed that this correlation was largely independent from ACTH In addition a significant inverse relationship was found between βE and craving on day 14 r=–028 No association appeared between βE and depression
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