Dopamine transporter and D2-receptor density in late-onset alcoholism.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Case-control neuroimaging study comparing clinical cases to healthy controls
PubMed 10639691 · doi:10.1007/s002130051173
What was done
Researchers used SPECT imaging with [123I]PE2I (to measure dopamine transporter [DAT] density) and [123I]epidepride (to measure striatal and extrastriatal dopamine D2-receptor density) to compare 9 nonviolent late-onset male alcoholics (without major psychiatric disorders or antisocial personality disorder) against 9 healthy male controls.
What was found
Striatal DAT occupancy ratios (striatum/cerebellum) were significantly lower in the alcoholic group than in healthy controls. Extrastriatal D2-receptor occupancy ratios (temporal pole/cerebellum) did not differ significantly between groups. Specific quantitative measurements and p-values were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
These findings suggest that late-onset (type 1) alcoholism is associated with reduced presynaptic striatal dopamine transporter availability rather than alterations in extrastriatal D2 receptors.
Limits
The sample size was extremely small (n = 18 total) and limited strictly to male participants without comorbid antisocial personality disorder, limiting generalizability. The cross-sectional design cannot determine whether reduced transporter density is a predisposing vulnerability or a consequence of chronic alcohol exposure, and exact numerical data were omitted from the abstract.
Cited by
- supports People with alcohol use disorder have lower dopamine receptor density and lower dopamine transporter density compared to people without alcohol use disorder.