Stress, Dopamine, HPA axis, and Alcohol Sensitivity

描述(由申请者提供)：主要目标是直接考试 生活应激源和感知应激对生物学的中介效应 与酒精中毒易感性相关的系统。压力和家庭 历史已被证明是酗酒风险的有力预测因素，但 机制仍不清楚。具体目标：1)确定压力是否 与HPA轴功能、DA神经传递或主观酒精有关 喜欢，2)考察生活压力源、感知压力、 和家族酗酒史，3)确定是否有关系 家族史与HPA轴功能或DA神经传递之间的关系 受压力的影响。方法：将100名男性、女性21-26岁社会饮酒者 在GCRC上住院11天。关于家族史的信息， 心理症状、压力症状和个性 获得。每个受试者将接受3次正电子发射计算机断层扫描以评估DA 神经传递。心理压力测试将被用来评估HPA 轴函数。酒精敏感性的个体差异将被评估 有酒精挑战。我们假设先前存在的压力将是 与DA释放、HPA轴活动和饮酒呈正相关。 研究结果可能会改善对高危非酒精者的预防性护理 通过帮助澄清生物学原理来治疗酒精依赖者 应激反应与酒精关系的过程 增援。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Broad objectives are to examine direct and mediating effects of life stressors and perceived stress on biological systems associated with vulnerability to alcoholism. Both stress and family history have been shown to be strong predictors of risk for alcoholism, but mechanisms remain unclear. SPECIFIC AIMS: 1) To determine whether stress is associated with HPA axis function, DA neurotransmission, or subjective alcohol liking, 2) To examine relationships between life stressors, perceived stress, and family history of alcoholism, 3) To determine whether the relationship between family history and HPA axis function or DA neurotransmission is influenced by stress. METHODS: 100 M, F 21-26 year-old social drinkers will be hospitalized for 11 days on the GCRC. Information about family history, psychological symptoms, stress symptomatology, and personality will be obtained. Each subject will undergo 3 PET scans to assess DA neurotransmission. A psychological stress test will be used to evaluate HPA axis function. Individual differences in alcohol sensitivity will be evaluated with alcohol challenges. We hypothesize that pre-existing stress will be positively associated with DA release, HPA axis activity, and alcohol liking. Findings could improve preventative care of high-risk nonalcoholics and treatment of alcohol dependent persons by helping to clarify biological processes involved in the relationship between stress reactivity and alcohol reinforcement.