PSYCHOPATHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIORAL-CORRELATES OF DOPAMINERGIC SENSITIVITY IN ALCOHOL-DEPENDENT PATIENTS

Objectives: To explore 2 facets of dopamine receptor sensitivity in al coholics: (1) whether reduced sensitivity of central dopamine receptor s is correlated with anxiety, depression, or novelty seeking and (2) w hether this reduction is associated with poor treatment outcome. Metho d: Sixty-four alcohol-dependent patients were assessed according to th eir clinical outcome, sensitivity of central dopamine receptors (apomo rphine-induced growth hormone secretion), mood states,and personality traits before and after detoxification. Results: Patients with poor tr eatment outcome displayed a blunted growth hormone response before, bu t not after, detoxification. Growth hormone response was not significa ntly correlated with novelty seeking. Relapsing patients tended to be less depressed than patients who remained abstinent during observation . Conclusion: This study did not support the hypothesis that reduced s ensitivity of dopamine receptors is associated with anxiety, depressed mood, or high novelty seeking in alcoholism.