GABAERGIC FUNCTION IN DETOXIFIED HEROIN-ADDICTS - RELATIONSHIP TO ANXIETY DISORDERS

The function of the GABAergic system was examined in 20 subjects with heroin dependence and abuse, 2 months after detoxification, and in 10 healthy volunteers, by measuring the growth hormone (GH) response to a challenge with the GABA B receptor agonist baclofen. Ten heroin addic ts had comorbid anxiety disorder (Group A), while the other ten had he roin addiction uncomplicated by Axis I and II psychopathologies (Group B). GH responses to baclofen stimulation of Group A patients were sig nificantly blunted, while those of Group B subjects did not differ fro m responses of healthy volunteers. Our data show that the function of the GABAergic system is impaired only in heroin addicts with comorbid anxiety disorders (anxious cluster), suggesting that the GABA system i s not persistently influenced by prolonged exposure to opioid receptor stimulation. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.