Year: 2014
Type: dissertation
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: Findings from previous positron emission tomography studies exploring the effect of acute alcohol on dopamine levels within the reward circuitry are inconsistent. However, the recently developed radiotracer, [11C]-(+)-propyl-hexahydro-naphtho-oxazin ([11C]-(+)-PHNO), may detect fluctuations in dopamine levels with greater sensitivity than previously used radiotracers. Seven social drinkers underwent two [11C]-(+)-PHNO PET scans following alcohol or placebo consumption in a randomized, single blind, crossover design. The non-displaceable binding potential (BPND) was examined in the striatum and extra-striatal regions (substantia nigra, globus pallidus, ventral pallidum) and compared between the two scans. There were no significant reductions in BPND in the alcohol scan compared to the placebo scan in any regions of interest, indicating no significant changes in dopamine levels. This is the first study to explore the alcohol-induced dopaminergic response in social drinkers using [11C]-(+)-PHNO. Our findings suggest that this response may be heterogeneous and the various factors influencing this response warrant further investigation.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Thulasi Thiruchselvam
Language: English
Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2728787538