| 1. |
- Adermark, Louise, 1974, et al.
(författare)
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Region-specific depression of striatal activity in Wistar rat by modest ethanol consumption over a ten-month period
- 2013
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Ingår i: Alcohol. - : Elsevier BV. - 0741-8329. ; 47:4, s. 289-298
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The nucleus accumbens (nAc) is the primary target for the mesolimbic dopamine system and a key brain region for the reinforcing effects displayed by drugs of abuse, including ethanol. During the. transition from recreational to compulsive consumption of reinforcing drugs, however, the dorsal striatum seems to be recruited. Understanding how synaptic activity is altered in a sub-region specific manner in the striatum during the course of long-term drug consumption thus could be essential for understanding the long-lasting changes produced by addictive substances, including ethanol. Here we evaluated synaptic activity in the dorsolateral striatum (DLS) and ventral Striatum (nucleus accumbens, nAc) of single-housed Wistar rats consuming water, or water and ethanol, for up to 10 months. Even though ethanol intake was moderate, it was sufficient to decrease input/output function in response to stimulation intensity in the DLS, while recorded population spike (PS) amplitudes in the nAc were unaffected. Striatal disinhibition induced by the GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline had a slower onset in rats that had consumed ethanol for 2 months, and was significantly depressed in slices from rats that had Consumed ethanol for 4 months. Bicuculline-induced disinhibition in the nAc, on the other hand, was not significantly altered by long-term ethanol intake. Changes in PS amplitude induced by taurine or the glycine receptor antagonist strychnine were not significantly altered by ethanol in any brain region. Even though input/output function was not significantly affected by age, there was a significant decline in antagonist-induced disinhibition in brain slices from aged rats. The data presented here suggest that even modest consumption of ethanol is sufficient to alter neurotransmission in the striatum, while synaptic activity appears to be relatively well-preserved in the nAc during the course of long-term ethanol consumption. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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| 2. |
- Balldin, Jan, 1935, et al.
(författare)
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Inverse relationship between central serotonergic neurotransmission and blood pressure in alcohol-dependent male subjects
- 2006
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Ingår i: Journal of Neural Transmission. ; 113, s. 1511-1517
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Data has accumulated indicating an inverse relation between central serotonergic (5-HT) neurotransmission and blood pressure in hypertensive rats and in healthy individuals. The present study aimed to elucidate whether an inverse relation exists between systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure levels and central 5-HT neurotransmission also in a group of alcohol-dependent individuals. Central 5-HT neurotransmission was assessed by using the maximum prolactin (PRL) responses to the 5-HT probe DL-fenfluramine (DL-FEN; 60 mg po.) in 17 alcohol-dependent male subjects investigated during a period of on-going alcohol intake. BP was measured immediately before all time points for blood sampling, and readings before DL-FEN administration were used as the subjects resting BP. Results showed that there were inverse correlations between the maximum PRL responses to DL-FEN and the SBP levels (r = -0.57, p < 0.002) and with the DBP levels (r = -0.52, p < 0.05), respectively. The present study suggests the existence of an association between central 5-HT neurotransmission and blood pressure regulation also in alcohol-dependent individuals.
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| 3. |
- Berggren, Ulf, 1948, et al.
(författare)
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Different effects of smoking or use of smokeless tobacco on platelet MAO-B activity in type 1 alcohol-dependent subjects.
- 2007
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Ingår i: Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire). - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0735-0414 .- 1464-3502. ; 42:3, s. 267-71
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Low platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO)-B activity has been proposed as a marker for alcohol-dependence. Findings are, however, contradictory and the influence of confounding factors have been thoroughly investigated. Thus, it is now well established that cigarette smoking reduces platelet MAO-activity. However, not much is known about the influence of smokeless tobacco, i.e. snuff or chewing tobacco, on platelet MAO-B activity. The aim of the present study was to compare platelet MAO-B activity in type 1 alcohol-dependent subjects with concomitant use of smokeless tobacco (i.e. snuff users), use of smoking tobacco (i.e. cigarette smokers), and in those without any tobacco use. METHODS: Platelet MAO-B activity was examined in three groups of alcohol-dependent subjects: snuff users (n = 14), cigarette smokers (n = 33), and non-tobacco users (N = 46). RESULTS: In the alcohol-dependent subjects concomitant cigarette smokers, but not snuff users, were found to have significantly lower platelet MAO-B activity as compared to non-tobacco users (platelet MAO-B activity 4.0 +/- 1.5, 5.1 +/- 1.5 and 5.0 +/- 1.9 microkat/kg protein, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The findings in the present study suggests that in the alcohol-dependent subjects the concomitant use of smokeless tobacco, i.e. snuffing, does not have an inhibitory effect on platelet MAO-B activity. This may have implications for future research. Thus, alcohol-dependent subjects with concomitant tobacco use should be grouped separately according to the form of the tobacco used, i.e. smoking or smokeless tobacco.
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| 4. |
- Berggren, Ulf, 1948, et al.
(författare)
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Platelet monoamine oxidase-B activity in type 1 alcohol-dependent subjects in sustained full remission.
- 2002
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Ingår i: Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire). - 0735-0414. ; 37:4, s. 340-3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The present study investigated platelet monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) activity in male alcohol-dependent subjects in sustained full remission (minimum 1 year), to exclude possible transient changes in platelet MAO-B activity, which occur up to several months after the end of alcohol intake.MAO-B activity was examined in 16 alcohol-dependent subjects, characterized as type 1 alcoholics, with an abstinence period of 6 +/- 7 years (mean +/- SD) and in 12 healthy controls.The long-term abstinent alcohol-dependent subjects did not differ from controls in platelet MAO-B activity.Type 1 male alcohol-dependent subjects appear to have normal platelet MAO-B activity. The possibility, however, cannot be excluded that type 2 long-term abstinent alcoholics may have lower platelet MAO-B activity.
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| 5. |
- Berggren, Ulf, 1948, et al.
(författare)
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Platelet monoamine oxidase B in family history positive and family history negative type 1 alcohol-dependent subjects.
- 2002
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Ingår i: Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire). - 0735-0414. ; 37:6, s. 577-80
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In the present study platelet monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) activity was investigated in 76 male type 1 alcohol-dependent subjects with and without a family history of alcoholism.Platelet MAO-B activity did not differ between family history positive (FHP) and family history negative alcohol-dependent subjects. The smoking status of the subjects was registered and there was still no difference between the groups when possible effects of smoking were taken into account. It should, however, be noted that platelet MAO-B activity was lower in alcohol-dependent subjects with three or four alcohol-dependent first-degree relatives.Although this latter finding should be interpreted with caution due to the small number of subjects, it cannot be excluded that FHP alcohol-dependent subjects with a large number of alcohol-dependent first-degree relatives may have lower platelet MAO-B activity.
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| 6. |
- Berggren, Ulf, 1948, et al.
(författare)
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The taqI DRD2 A1 allele is associated with alcohol-dependence although its effect size is small
- 2006
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Ingår i: Alcohol. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0735-0414. ; 41:5, s. 479-85
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Numerous studies of the relationship between the TaqIA DRD2 A1 allele and alcohol-dependence have been performed and many of these have shown an association whereas others have not (Noble, 2003). This has consequently generated some controversy as to whether such an association actually exists (Noble, 2003). In the two recent meta-analyses by Noble (2003) and Young et al. (2004) some very important methodological issues have been discussed, which need to be addressed in forthcoming studies. Thus, the sample size is of great importance. In case-control studies it has been estimated that to detect the role of genes with small effect size of approximately 2, which is in the range of the DRD2 A1 allele-alcoholism relationship, case-control sets of 300-400 subjects are necessary (Noble, 2003). METHODS: In the present study, we have consequently recruited a large number of subjects, 375 alcohol-dependent individuals, who were treated as inpatients for alcohol withdrawal symptoms and out of these 357 could be evaluated. As controls, 578 individuals screened and 254 individuals unscreened for alcohol consumption were used. Thus, the total number of subjects was 1217. RESULTS: In the present study, in which the TaqI A1/A2 DRD2 polymorphism was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the patient group and the two control groups, we found that the TaqI DRD2 A1/A2 genotype frequency differed significantly between the alcohol-dependent group and both the total and screened control groups. Furthermore, the TaqI DRD2 A1 allele frequency was significantly overrepresented in the alcohol-dependent subjects as compared with both the total and screened control groups. The odds ratio for alcohol-dependency being associated with the A1 allele was 1.34. CONCLUSIONS: Consequently, the findings in this study lend further support to the notion of an association between the DRD2 A1 allele and alcohol-dependence, although the effect size of the DRD2 A1 allele is small.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Berggren, Ulf, 1948, et al.
(författare)
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Tobacco use is associated with more severe alcohol dependence, as assessed by the number of DSM-IV criteria, in Swedish male type 1 alcoholics.
- 2007
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Ingår i: Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire). - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0735-0414 .- 1464-3502. ; 42:3, s. 247-51
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: A high smoking prevalence has been reported in treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent individuals. It has also been suggested that alcohol-dependent individuals who smoke may have a more severe course and greater severity of their alcoholism. METHODS: This study evaluated the impact of tobacco use in 108 Swedish male type 1 alcohol-dependent individuals, recruited by advertisement in a local daily newspaper. They were sub-grouped into smokers (N = 50), snuffers (N = 12) and tobacco nonusers (N = 46). The number of criteria for the diagnosis of alcohol dependence was used to assess the severity of alcohol dependence. RESULTS: The smokers were significantly younger compared to the tobacco non-using group, and also younger at their onset of excessive alcohol consumption. Both smokers and snuffers fulfilled significantly more DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence than tobacco nonusers. Furthermore, significantly higher proportions of smokers and snuffers fulfilled the criteria no 2 (experiencing withdrawal syndrome) and no 7 (continuing to use alcohol despite problems). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that not only smoking, but also snuffing, is associated with greater severity of alcohol dependence, as reflected by the greater number of DSM-IV criteria.
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| 9. |
- Berglund, Kristina, 1969, et al.
(författare)
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Changes in mental well-being during Minnesota treatment.
- 2004
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Ingår i: Nordic journal of psychiatry. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0803-9488 .- 1502-4725. ; 58:5, s. 383-8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The present study assessed mental well-being daily in 28 alcohol-dependent patients who underwent 28 days of Minnesota inpatient treatment. The Swedish Mood Adjective Check List (sMACL) with six bipolar dimensions was used for daily self-reports. At start of treatment, patients had lower levels in four dimensions of mental well-being compared to those of a norm group. Moreover, patients showed significant improvements in all levels of mental well-being during treatment, and at the end of treatment patients had values within the normal range, except for one dimension (activation/deactivation), in which the levels were significantly higher. The findings may suggest a beneficial effect of this type of treatment on mental well-being, although findings may also reflect a mere effect of adjustment to treatment or the social situation.
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| 10. |
- Berglund, Kristina, 1969, et al.
(författare)
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Individuals with excessive alcohol intake recruited by advertisement: demographic and clinical characteristics
- 2006
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Ingår i: Alcohol and Alcoholism. ; 41, s. 200-204
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims: Studies have shown that most individuals with alcohol-problems have never received any treatment for their alcoholism. The purpose of the present study was to describe demographic and clinical characteristics in male individuals with excessive alcohol intake who were recruited by advertisements. These characteristics were compared between individuals with or without prior treatment histories. Methods: Subjects (n = 367) responded to the advertisements in a regional daily newspaper and called the investigators. A structured interview was performed and a complete dataset of demographic and clinical information was collected in 342 individuals. Results: Individuals with no prior treatment history (n = 238) were found to be more often cohabitant, employed, and they reported fewer on-going psychiatric symptoms than individuals with treatment histories (n = 104). Conclusion: Since individuals with no prior treatment history seldom experience psychiatric symptoms, they are probably less likely to seek treatment in the health care system. It is therefore of importance to find ways to early reach this hidden group with excessive alcohol consumption. One way to do so might be via alcohol treatment programs at working places since the majority of them are employed
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| 11. |
- Berglund, Kristina, 1969, et al.
(författare)
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Personality profile in type 1 alcoholism: Long duration of alcohol intake and low serotonergic activity are predictive factors of anxiety proneness
- 2006
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Ingår i: Journal of Neural Transmission. ; 113, s. 1287-1298
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of the present study was to further investigate personality profiles in male type 1 alcohol-dependent subjects (n = 33), in relation to central serotonergic neurotransmission, history of excessive alcohol consumption and present use of tobacco. Central serotonergic neurotransmission was assessed by the prolactin (PRL) response to d-fenfluramine. By using the Temperament and Character Inventory and the Karolinska Scales of Personality, all subjects self-rated their personality profile. The results showed that individuals with low PRL response and long duration of excessive alcohol consumption had significantly higher anxiety proneness, and that years of excessive alcohol consumption was the strongest predictor. Long duration of excessive alcohol consumption thus appears to have an influence on personality traits in male type I alcohol-dependent individuals and these personality traits may therefore be a consequence of, rather than preceding, alcoholism in these individuals
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| 12. |
- Eriksson, Matts, 1960, et al.
(författare)
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Further investigation of citalopram on alcohol consumption in heavy drinkers: Responsiveness possibly linked to the DRD2 A2/A2 genotype
- 2001
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Ingår i: Alcohol. - 0741-8329. ; 24, s. 15-23
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, has been suggested to reduce alcohol intake, at least in some studies. The present study aimed to replicate our earlier finding that citalopram reduces alcohol intake only in subjects with a weekly consumption ranging between 300 and 800 g of pure alcohol. Subjects (n=37) in this study were therefore randomized into a double-blind treatment with either 40 mg of citalopram daily or placebo for a 4-week period. Another purpose was to investigate whether different measures of central neurotransmission might predict an effect of citalopram or placebo on alcohol consumption. Therefore, prolactin response to d-fenfluramine, platelet monoamine oxidase-B activity, as well as the genotype of the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2), A1 and A2 alleles, were determined and related to individual changes in alcohol consumption. Citalopram was not found to be superior to placebo in reducing alcohol intake. Prolactin responses to d-fenfluramine and levels of platelet monoamine oxidase-B activities were not related to changes in alcohol consumption, regardless of treatment with citalopram or placebo. When subjects were grouped according to the presence or absence of the DRD2 A1 allele, those with the genotype DRD2 A2/A2 were found to transiently reduce their alcohol consumption during citalopram treatment. This finding seems to indicate that, in subjects with heavy alcohol consumption, possession of the genotype DRD2 A2/A2 may be prerequisite for a treatment effect of citalopram. Copyright © 2001 Elsevier Science Inc.
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| 13. |
- Eriksson, Matts, 1960, et al.
(författare)
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Platelet monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) activity and its relationship to DL-fenfluramine-induced prolactin response in healthy men
- 2006
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Ingår i: Journal of Neural Transmission. ; 113, s. 33-41
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Several techniques are used to assess central serotonergic neurotransmission in man, e.g. challenge tests (hormonal and physiological responses to serotonin active drugs), platelet MAO-B activity as well as brain imaging techniques. Little is known about how these tests relate to each other. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate if platelet MAO-B activity could be related to hormonal and temperature responses to the serotonin active drug DL-fenfluramine in healthy men. Twelve male subjects without any history of psychiatric disorders or drug abuse/dependencies were recruited. Prior to the challenge with 60 mg DL-fenfluramine, which was given orally, blood for determination of platelet MAO-B activity was drawn. Blood samples for determination of serum prolactin and serum cortisol were drawn at baseline and thereafter every hour for the following six hours. In addition, body temperature was measured at the same time-points. ∆-values were calculated as the difference between the baseline values and the highest (prolactin and cortisol) or lowest value (temperature) thereafter. There was a strong positive correlation (r = 0.75, p < 0.02) between platelet MAO-B activity and ∆-prolactin. No correlations were found to ∆-cortisol, ∆-temperature or any of the baseline values. The results support the notion that the peripheral marker platelet MAO-B activity is related to the function of the central serotonergic neurotransmitter system as assessed by the prolactin response to 60 mg DL-fenfluramin.
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| 14. |
- Eriksson, Matts, 1960
(författare)
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Serotonergic aspects on high consumption of alcohol in humans. Experimental and clinical studies
- 2000
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In animal studies an association between alcohol intake and central serotonergic function has been demonstrated. There are also evidence for altered serotonergic neurotransmission in subgroups of alcohol-dependent subjects.The aim of the thesis was to investigate the effect of SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) on alcohol intake, in relation to biological markers for alcoholism, in men with long-term high alcohol consumption but without social, psychiatric or somatic complications due to their alcohol intake. The subjects were approximately 50 years old, had a history of daily alcohol consumption of about 100 g since 10 years. Despite that 70% fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence only 30% had earlier experiences from health care or voluntary organizations due to their alcohol problem. They had few social, medical or other complications related to their alcohol intake. They may therefore represent a group of patients not well known in traditional treatment programs.Compared to a norm group they had lower levels of mental well-being but no anxious or depressive symptoms as assessed by rating scales. The lower moods were most marked in the group of subjects who discontinued the study. Reduction in alcohol consumption of about 60% did not affect moods. Treatment with an SSRI did not increase moods although a trend was observed. On the other hand, participating in the study program increased mood levels to that of a norm group.The subjects were found to have signs of impaired central serotonergic neurotransmission as assessed by the fenfluramine challenge test, but platelet monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) activity was of the same magnitude as in a reference group. The presence of the dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) A1 allele was about 20%, as could be expected from the prevalence in the general population. Subjects with the DRD2 A1 allele had lower platelet MAO-B activity than those with the DRD2 A2/A2 alleles.The present studies suggest that treatment with an SSRI during a period of alcohol consumption can reduce alcohol intake by about 20% compared to placebo for at least 2 weeks. This finding is more of a theoretical interest than of clinical usefulness. Predictors for an alcohol-reducing effect of SSRIs may be a mean daily pure alcohol consumption between 60 and 100 g, presence of the DRD2 A2/A2 alleles and high prolactin response to fenfluramine.
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