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α‐Synuclein Protein Levels Are Increased in Alcoholic Patients and Are Linked to Craving
Author(s) -
Bönsch Dominikus,
Greifenberg Verena,
Bayerlein Kristina,
Biermann Teresa,
Reulbach Udo,
Hillemacher Thomas,
Kornhuber Johannes,
Bleich Stefan
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1097/01.alc.0000164360.43907.24
Subject(s) - craving , medicine , alcohol use disorder , psychology , dopamine , endocrinology , psychiatry , alcohol , addiction , chemistry , biochemistry
Background: Alpha synuclein has been found to be increased in dopamine neurones of cocaine abusers and in rats whose alcohol preference is inbred. Furthermore, increased α‐synuclein messenger RNA expression has been linked to craving in patients with alcoholism. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether protein levels of α synuclein in alcoholics are changed and possibly influence alcohol craving. Methods: The α‐synuclein protein expression level was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in the serum of 49 male alcoholics and 50 nondrinking healthy controls. Alcohol craving was assessed by the Obsessive‐Compulsive Drinking Scale total score, including subscales for obsessive and compulsive craving. Results: α‐Synuclein protein expression in patients with alcoholism (14.33 ng/ml; SD, 13.01 ng/ml) was significantly higher ( t test, T = 3.66, p < 0.0001) when compared with that of healthy controls (5.92 ng/ml; SD, 9.72 ng/ml). Using a multivariate analysis, all craving scores (Obsessive‐Compulsive Drinking Scale total score and obsessive and compulsive subscale scores) in alcoholics were significantly associated with their α‐synuclein protein levels (multiple linear regression, p < 0.014). Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating α‐synuclein protein expression in alcoholics. The current study provides further evidence of altered α‐synuclein levels in patients with alcoholism and their linkage to alcohol craving. Because α synuclein is involved in the modulation of dopaminergic neurotransmission, these results deliver further pathophysiological explanations of craving mechanisms.