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 .
Effects of alcohol detoxification on dopamine D2 receptors in alcoholics: a preliminary study
Imaging studies in patients with Type II alcohol dependence have revealed significant reductions in dopamine ( DA ) D2 receptor availability . Here we assessed the effects of alcohol detoxification in DA D2 receptors in alcoholic subjects . We evaluated 14 patients with Type II alcohol dependence tested within 6 weeks of detoxification and then re-tested 1 - 4 months later while alcohol free . The comparison group comprised 11 healthy controls .  PET was used with [11C]raclopride to measure DA D2 receptors . Eight alcoholics and all control subjects were tested with a CTI 931 PET scanner and six alcoholics with a  Siemens HR+ PET scanner .  Data were analyzed separately for the studies done in the different scanners . Comparisons between early and late alcohol detoxification showed no significant changes in DA D2 receptor availability ( B(max)/K(d ) ) for the studies done with the CTI and the HR+ scanners . Comparison with controls showed lower DA D2 receptor levels in cau date and putamen in alcoholics tested during early detoxification and in cau date during late detoxification . These studies replicate previous findings of lower striatal DA D2 receptors in alcoholics than in controls and absence of significant recovery during alcohol detoxification . These findings suggest that low DA D2 receptor availability in alcoholics is not due to alcohol withdrawal and may reflect a predisposing factor
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 .