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    Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2009 Sep;93(3):291-9. Epub 2009 Feb 28.

    Now or Later? An fMRI study of the effects of endogenous opioid blockade on a decision-making network.

    Boettiger CA, Kelley EA, Mitchell JM, D'Esposito M, Fields HL.

    Department of Psychology, Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-3270, United States. cab@unc.edu

    Previously, we found that distinct brain areas predict individual selection bias in decisions between small immediate ("Now") and larger delayed rewards ("Later"). Furthermore, such selection bias can be manipulated by endogenous opioid blockade. To test whether blocking endogenous opioids with naltrexone (NTX) alters brain activity during decision-making in areas predicting individual bias, we compared fMRI BOLD signal correlated with Now versus Later decision-making after acute administration of NTX (50 mg) or placebo. We tested abstinent alcoholics and control subjects in a double-blind two-session design. We defined regions of interest (ROIs) centered on activation peaks predicting Now versus Later selection bias. NTX administration significantly increased BOLD signal during decision-making in the right lateral orbital gyrus ROI, an area where enhanced activity during decision-making predicts Later bias. Exploratory analyses identified additional loci where BOLD signal during decision-making was enhanced (left orbitofrontal cortex, left inferior temporal gyrus, and cerebellum) or reduced (right superior temporal pole) by NTX. Additional analyses identified sites, including the right lateral orbital gyrus, in which NTX effects on BOLD signal predicted NTX effects on selection bias. These data agree with opioid receptor expression in human frontal and temporal cortices, and suggest possible mechanisms of NTX's therapeutic effects.

    PMID: 19258022 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

    PMCID: 2729462

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    • Naltrexone (ReVia®)

      Naltrexone is used along with counseling and social support to help people who have stopped drinking alcohol and using street drugs continue to avoid drinking or using drugs. Naltrexone should not be used to treat people...