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N ‐Methyl‐ d ‐Aspartate Receptor Antagonism has Differential Effects on Alcohol Craving and Drinking in Heavy Drinkers
Author(s) -
KrishnanSarin Suchitra,
O'Malley Stephanie S.,
Franco Nicholas,
Cavallo Dana A.,
Morean Meghan,
Shi Julia,
Pittman Brian,
Krystal John H.
Publication year - 2015
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.12619
Subject(s) - craving , memantine , alcohol , impulsivity , nmda receptor , ethanol , placebo , psychology , pharmacology , medicine , psychiatry , addiction , receptor , chemistry , biochemistry , alternative medicine , pathology , organic chemistry
Background The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the N ‐methyl‐ d ‐aspartate ( NMDA ) receptor antagonist, memantine (0, 20, 40 mg/d), upon alcohol drinking and craving in heavy drinkers with or without a family history ( FH ) of alcoholism, and to explore the modulatory influence of the presence of impulsivity on these outcomes. Methods Ninety‐two, nontreatment‐seeking, heavy drinkers received memantine or placebo for 8 days. On the eighth day, they received a priming dose of alcohol followed by a 3‐hour period of alcohol access. Results Memantine at a dose of 20 mg reduced alcohol craving but did not influence alcohol drinking. No effects of FH were observed. In participants with higher baseline levels of impulsivity, 40 mg of memantine reduced alcohol craving but increased alcohol drinking and alcohol‐induced stimulation. Conclusions NMDA receptor signaling may play divergent roles in mediating alcohol cue‐induced craving and alcohol drinking in heavy drinkers. The potential efficacy of memantine as monotherapy for alcohol use disorders may be limited by its tendency to disinhibit drinking in some individuals.