Effect of Naltrexone on Craving and Ethanol-Induced Brain Activity

来自动物和人类的研究结果表明，乙醇的有益特性部分来自酒精、内源性阿片和多巴胺(DA)系统之间的复杂相互作用。急性给予乙醇会增加阿片肽的释放，进而增加中皮质边缘系统中DA的释放。纳曲酮(NTX)是一种阿片受体拮抗剂，在治疗酒精中毒的临床前和临床研究中得到了广泛的研究。大量临床研究表明，在酒精依赖患者中短期使用NTX有效地防止复发和降低渴求程度。 这项研究将涉及60名年龄在21-50岁之间、符合酒精依赖诊断标准的酒精中毒患者。在戒毒后，患者将采用双盲设计，在整个住院过程中随机接受NTX或安慰剂。将进行酒精注射的fMRI扫描，以调查NTX在注射过程中对与大脑活动相关的BOLD反应的影响。

Findings from animal and human studies indicate that the rewarding properties of ethanol arise in part from a complex interaction between alcohol, endogenous opiods, and dopamine (DA) systems. Acute administration of ethanol increases the release of opioid peptides, which in turn, increases the release of DA in the mesocorticolimbic system. Naltrexone (NTX), an opioid receptor antagonist, has been studied widely in both preclinical and clinical research for the treatment of alcoholism. Numerous clinical studies have shown that short-term use of NTX in alcohol-dependent patients effectively prevents relapse and reduces the level of craving. This study will involve 60 alcoholic patients between the ages of 21-50 years of age who meet diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence. Following detoxification, patients will be randomized, using a double-blind design, to receive NTX or placebo throughout the course of their hospitalization. fMRI scans involving ethanol infusions will be performed in order to investigate NTX's effect on the BOLD response associated with brain activity during the infusions.