Characterization of [11C]Flumazenil to Image GABA Transmission in Healthy Adult Subjects and Subjects With Alcohol Dependence

Summary

Background: \- This study is being done to examine the role of a chemical GABA in the brain of alcohol dependent patients. GABA is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. It helps induce relaxation and sleep and balances the brain by inhibiting over-excitation. Several studies have reported that anxiety disorders such as panic attacks, seizure disorders, and numerous other conditions including addiction, are all related to low GABA activity. Therefore, we will examine differences in GABA levels between healthy controls and subjects with alcohol addiction. Studies such as this are important to the understanding of the role of GABA in alcohol addiction.

Timeline

Start

2011-04-19

Primary completion

2013-10-01

Completion

2013-10-01

Publications

• Background Lingford-Hughes AR, Wilson SJ, Cunningham VJ, Feeney A, Stevenson B, Brooks DJ, Nutt DJ. GABA-benzodiazepine receptor function in alcohol dependence: a combined 11C-flumazenil PET and pharmacodynamic study. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2005 Aug;180(4):595-606. doi: 10.1007/s00213-005-2271-x. Epub 2005 Apr 28.
• Background Gilman S, Adams KM, Johnson-Greene D, Koeppe RA, Junck L, Kluin KJ, Martorello S, Heumann M, Hill E. Effects of disulfiram on positron emission tomography and neuropsychological studies in severe chronic alcoholism. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 1996 Nov;20(8):1456-61. doi: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.1996.tb01149.x.
• Background Farde L, Pauli S, Litton JE, Halldin C, Neiman J, Sedvall G. PET-determination of benzodiazepine receptor binding in studies on alcoholism. EXS. 1994;71:143-53. doi: 10.1007/978-3-0348-7330-7_15.
• Background Litton JE, Neiman J, Pauli S, Farde L, Hindmarsh T, Halldin C, Sedvall G. PET analysis of [11C]flumazenil binding to benzodiazepine receptors in chronic alcohol-dependent men and healthy controls. Psychiatry Res. 1993 Apr;50(1):1-13. doi: 10.1016/0925-4927(93)90019-e.

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