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Childhood Maltreatment Affects the Serotonergic System in Male Alcohol‐Dependent Individuals
Author(s) -
Berglund Kristina J.,
Balldin Jan,
Berggren Ulf,
Gerdner Arne,
Fahlke Claudia
Publication year - 2013
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 - 10.1111/acer.12023
Subject(s) - serotonergic , child abuse , psychology , psychiatry , alcohol abuse , medicine , clinical psychology , poison control , injury prevention , serotonin , medical emergency , receptor
Background Reduced central serotonergic neurotransmission has been demonstrated in individuals with excessive alcohol consumption and/or alcohol dependence. Childhood maltreatment has also been found to have a negative impact on central serotonergic neurotransmission. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of childhood maltreatment on central serotonergic dysfunction in alcohol‐dependent individuals. Methods Adult men with a diagnosis of alcohol dependence ( n = 18) were recruited from outpatient treatment units for alcoholism. Central serotonergic neurotransmission was assessed by a neuroendocrine method, that is, the prolactin ( PRL ) response to the selective 5‐ HT reuptake inhibitor citalopram. Childhood maltreatment was assessed retrospectively by the C hildhood T rauma Q uestionnaire. Results Alcohol‐dependent individuals with childhood experience of emotional abuse had significantly lower PRL response compared with those without such abuse (3 ± 5 and 64 ± 24 mU/l, respectively; t = 6.51, p < 0.001). Among those who reported childhood emotional abuse, 4 of 7 individuals had flat PRL responses in comparison with none in those with no report of such abuse ( p < 0.01). Conclusions This is the first study to show that self‐reported childhood maltreatment, in particular emotional abuse, in male alcohol‐dependent individuals is associated with a quite dramatic (more than 90%) reduction in central serotonergic neurotransmission. It should, however, be noted that the number of individuals is relatively small, and the results should therefore be considered as preliminary.