Neurochemical correlates of sympathetic activation during severe alcohol withdrawal

Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 1994 Dec;18(6):1312-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.1994.tb01429.x.

Abstract

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was obtained from 17 patients during acute alcohol withdrawal. Eight of these 17 patients had a second lumbar puncture a mean of 11.9 +/- 8.1 (SD) days later, when the clinical signs of alcohol withdrawal had subsided. CSF 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol concentrations declined significantly (p < 0.05) during the course of alcohol withdrawal from 52.0 +/- 22.1 (SD) to 39.6 +/- 12.6 pM/ml. In early withdrawal, there was a significant positive correlation between CSF norepinephrine (NE) and corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) concentrations (r = 0.95, p < 0.001). Both NE and CRH concentrations correlated positively with diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.88, p < 0.001 and r = 0.62, p < 0.05, respectively). In all samples, CSF 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid concentrations correlated positively with CSF-homovanillic acid concentrations (r = 0.83, p < 0.001). These findings indicate significant perturbations of the noradrenergic neuronal system and a change in CRH-NE interactions during acute alcohol withdrawal.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium / physiopathology*
  • Alcoholism / physiopathology
  • Alcoholism / rehabilitation*
  • Arousal / physiology*
  • Carrier Proteins / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / physiology*
  • Diazepam Binding Inhibitor
  • Ethanol / adverse effects*
  • Homovanillic Acid / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Norepinephrine / physiology*
  • Sympathetic Nervous System / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Diazepam Binding Inhibitor
  • Ethanol
  • Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol
  • Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone
  • Norepinephrine
  • Homovanillic Acid