Our analysis indicated that changes of dopamine receptors and transporters are moderated by the duration of abstinence .
Our analysis provides strong evidence for a central role of the striatal dopamine system in use of alcohol or opioids .
Use of alcohol , cannabis and opioids is highly prevalent and is associated with global disease burden and high economic costs .
The exact pathophysiology of abuse or addiction associated with these sedative substances is not completely understood , but previous research implicates the important role of the striatal dopamine system in the addiction process .
Multiple studies investigated changes in the striatal dopamine systems of users of sedative substances , but currently these results are very heterogeneous .
Therefore , we conducted a meta- analysis of in vivo neuroimaging studies investigating dopaminergic alterations in the striatum of users of alcohol , opioids or cannabis .
Dopamine transporter and D2-receptor density in late-onset alcoholism
Abstract Rationale : Late onset type 1 alcoholism has been suggested to be associated with an underlying dopaminergic defect . Therefore , it is relevant to study both postsynaptic D2-receptor and presynaptic dopamine transporter ( DAT ) densities among alcoholics . Objective : We investigated DAT densities , along with striatal and extrastriatal dopamine D2-receptor densities , in nine non-violent late-onset male alcoholics , who had no major mental disorder nor antisocial personality disorder ( ASPD ) , and nine healthy controls . Methods : [123I]PE2I and [123I]epidepride were used in SPECT imaging . Results : DAT occupancy ratios ( striatum/cerebellum ) were significantly lower among alcoholics than in controls . Extrastriatal D2-receptor occupancy ratios ( temporal pole/cerebellum ) were not significantly different between the groups . Conclusions : Striatal presynaptic DAT densities are decreased among type 1 alcoholics , and this finding is not associated with recent alcohol abuse
Our analysis indicated that changes of dopamine receptors and transporters are moderated by the duration of abstinence .
Our analysis provides strong evidence for a central role of the striatal dopamine system in use of alcohol or opioids .
Use of alcohol , cannabis and opioids is highly prevalent and is associated with global disease burden and high economic costs .
The exact pathophysiology of abuse or addiction associated with these sedative substances is not completely understood , but previous research implicates the important role of the striatal dopamine system in the addiction process .
Multiple studies investigated changes in the striatal dopamine systems of users of sedative substances , but currently these results are very heterogeneous .
Therefore , we conducted a meta- analysis of in vivo neuroimaging studies investigating dopaminergic alterations in the striatum of users of alcohol , opioids or cannabis .