Psychopharmacology

, Volume 78, Issue 2, pp 101–103 | Cite as

Endorphin levels in human cerebrospinal fluid during alcohol intoxication and withdrawal

  • Stefan Borg
  • Hans Kvande
  • Ulf Rydberg
  • Lars Terenius
  • Agneta Wahlström
Original Investigations
Received:

Abstract

Levels of endorphins were determined in CSF from alcoholics while intoxicated or after 1 day, 1 week, and 3 weeks of abstinence, respectively, and from healthy volunteers. The level of endorphins was determined by a radioreceptor assay and two fractions were analyzed. With fraction 1, there were no significant differences between the groups, but the level was negatively correlated with the blood-alcohol level. The mean level of endorphin fraction 2 during the early withdrawal phase was significantly lower than those of the other groups. With respect to clinical conditions and monoamine metabolites, fraction 2 in early withdrawal correlated significantly to duration of abuse and age. During late withdrawal, fraction 1 level correlated to depressive symptoms and, after 3 weeks of abstinence, fraction 2 correlated to MOPEG levels. This study suggests that endorphin systems are affected during alcohol intoxication and withdrawal in alcoholics.

Key words

Alcohol intoxication Alcohol withdrawal Cerebrospinal fluid Endorphins 
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1982

Authors and Affiliations

  • Stefan Borg
    • 1
    • 2
  • Hans Kvande
    • 1
    • 2
  • Ulf Rydberg
    • 1
    • 2
  • Lars Terenius
    • 1
    • 2
  • Agneta Wahlström
    • 1
    • 2
  1. 1.Department of Clinical Alcohol and Drug ResearchKarolinska InstituteStockholmSweden
  2. 2.Department of PharmacologyUniversity of Uppsala, BiomedicumUppsalaSweden

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