Effects of acute metabolic stress on striatal dopamine release in healthy volunteers

Several lines of evidence indicate that a variety of metabolic stressors, i ncluding acute glucose deprivation are associated with dopamine release. Ph armacologic doses of the glucose analogue, 2-deoxyglucose (2DG) cause acute glucoprivation and are associated with enhanced dopamine turnover in precl inical studies. In this study, we utilized [C-11]raclopride PET to examine 2DG-induced striatal dopamine release in healthy volunteers. Six healthy vo lunteers underwent PET scans involving assessment of 2DG-induced (40 mg/kg) decrements in striatal binding of the D-2/D-3 receptor radioligand [C-11]r aclopride. Decreases in [C-11]raclopride specific binding reflect 2DG-induc ed changes in synaptic dopamine. Specific binding significantly decreased f ollowing 2DG administration, reflecting enhanced synaptic dopamine concentr ations (p = .02). The administration of 2DG is associated with significant striatal dopamine release in healthy volunteers. Implications of these data for investigations of the role of stress in psychiatric disorders are disc ussed. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.