Neuroendocrine and behavioral responses to dopaminergic agonists in adolescents with alcohol abuse

• DOI: 10.1007/s00213-002-1303-z
• Publication Date: 2016-11-12T13:22:42Z
• Authors: Himanshu P. Upadh...; Kathleen T. Brady; Jason Liao; Gopalan Sethuraman; Larry Middaugh; Mollie Wharton; Floyd R. Sallee
• Keywords: Pergolide

Dopaminergic systems are involved in the pathophysiology of alcohol use disorders, but there is little research investigating the role of these systems in adolescents.In this study, we investigated dopaminergic systems in adolescents with alcohol abuse by determining neuroendocrine and behavioral responses to dopaminergic drug challenges.Twenty-six participants (11 with DSM IV alcohol abuse and 15 controls) were enrolled in the study. Neuroendocrine and behavioral response to the dopaminergic indirect agonist methylphenidate (10 mg) and the direct agonist pergolide (50 mcg), were examined. The primary response measures were spontaneous eye-blink rate, plasma prolactin (PRL), and growth hormone (GH). Additionally, participants completed a visual analog mood scale (VAMS).The rate of increase in plasma GH level was blunted for adolescents with alcohol abuse compared to the control group, after methylphenidate administration [ t=-2.75, P=0.0066, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.3, -0.048]. The rate of decrease in PRL level after pergolide administration was greater in adolescents with alcohol abuse as compared to the control group ( t=-3.05, P=0.0028, 95% CI -0.01923, -0.00409). Adolescents with alcohol abuse rated themselves as less "energized" in comparison to the control group after methylphenidate (rate difference=-0.4, P=0.0231).This preliminary study suggests that adolescents with alcohol abuse may have a differential response to dopaminergic agonists, as also reported for adults with alcohol use disorders. Further studies investigating gender differences, and other neurotransmitter systems are needed to understand the differential dopaminergic response in adolescents with alcohol use disorders.