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α‐2‐Adrenoceptor Function in Alcohol Withdrawal: A Pilot Study of the Effects of IV Clonidine in Alcoholics and Normals
Author(s) -
Nutt David,
Glue Paul,
Molyneux Stephen,
Clark Earl
Publication year - 1988
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/j.1530-0277.1988.tb00125.x
Subject(s) - clonidine , psychology , blood pressure , basal (medicine) , mood , kindling , medicine , endocrinology , alcohol , chemistry , clinical psychology , stimulation , insulin , biochemistry
Central α‐adrenoceptor function was studied in seven withdrawing alcoholics and compared with seven normal controls using the clonidine challenge test The alcoholic group had significantly elevated basal levels of Mood pressure and plasma 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenyl glycol. The percentage of fall in Mood pressure produced by clonidine was blunted in the alcoholics. There was disruption of the neuroendocrine effects of clonidine on growth hormone release. Physiological indices of withdrawal, in particular plasma 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenyl glycol and blood pressure correlated with measures of previous withdrawal experiences, supporting the idea that kindling might occur with repeated episodes of withdrawal.