Effect of Naltrexone and Ondansetron on Alcohol Cue–Induced Activation of the Ventral Striatum in Alcohol-Dependent People

• DOI: 10.1001/archpsyc.65.4.466
• Publication Date: 2008-04-07T20:13:50Z
• Authors: Hugh Myrick; Raymond F. Anton; Xingbao Li; Scott Henderson; Patrick K. Randall; Konstantin Voronin
• Keywords: Alcohol Dependence; Alcohol use disorder; Ventral striatum

<h3>Context</h3> Medication for the treatment of alcoholism is currently not particularly robust. Neuroimaging techniques might predict which medications could be useful in alcohol dependence. <h3>Objective</h3> To explore effect naltrexone, ondansetron hydrochloride, or combination these on cue-induced craving and ventral striatum activation. <h3>Design</h3> Functional brain imaging was conducted during cue presentation. <h3>Setting</h3> Participants were recruited from general community following media advertisement. Experimental procedures performed magnetic resonance suite a major training hospital medical research institute. <h3>Patients</h3> Ninety non–treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent (by<i>DSM-IV</i>criteria) 17 social drinking (&lt; 14 drinks per week) paid volunteers through advertisements at an academic center. <h3>Interventions</h3> A taste series alcohol-related pictures, neutral beverage visual control images provided to after 7 days double-blind randomly assigned daily dosing with 50 mg naltrexone (n = 23), 0.50 hydrochloride 2 20), matching placebos 24). <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> Difference blood oxygen level–dependent when viewing pictures vs particular focus activity comparison across medication groups. Self-ratings craving. <h3>Results</h3> The decreased alcohol. Naltrexone (<i>P</i> .02) without .049) cue–induced activation striatum. Ondansetron by itself similar overall analysis but intermediate region-specific analysis. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Consistent animal data that suggest both reduce alcohol-stimulated dopamine output striatum, current study found evidence medications, alone combination, decrease consistent their putative efficacy.