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 availability in heroin-dependent subjects and controls: longitudinal changes during abstinence and the effects of Jitai tablets treatment
Rationale Previous imaging studies have indicated that the levels of the dopamine transporter ( DAT ) are reduced in the brains of heroin users . However , whether these changes can be reversed by abstinence and /or treatment remains unclear . Objectives This study aims to investigate DAT availability in heroin users and changes in DAT availability after abstinence and treatment with the Jitai tablets , a traditional Chinese medicinal product that is approved for the treatment of opioid addiction . Methods Single-photon emission computed tomography ( SPECT ) with [ 99mTc ] TRODAT-1 was performed on heroin-dependent patients ( n = 64 ) and healthy controls ( n = 15 ) . The patients were r and omly assigned to treatment with either placebo or the Jitai . All patients underwent SPECT imaging both at baseline and after 6 months of treatment . DAT availability was assessed in the cau date and putamen . Depression and anxiety were evaluated at baseline . Results DAT availability remained at low levels during a 6-month period in the placebo-treated group but was increased ( 14–17 % ) in the Jitai-treated group . The ratio of DAT availability at month 6 to that at baseline in the Jitai-treated group was significantly higher than that in the placebo-treated group in both the bilateral cau date and putamen . DAT uptake in the striatum was significantly correlated with daily heroin dose , years of heroin use , and depression . Conclusions These findings suggest that chronic heroin use induces long-lasting striatal DAT reductions . DAT availability remained unchanged during a 6-month period of abstinence . Treatment with Jitai appears to be effective at increasing striatal DAT availability
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 .