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Pharmacopsychiatry 2003; 36: 255-258
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-45139
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Neurobiological Correlates of the Disposition and Maintenance of Alcoholism

A. Heinz1 , M. Schäfer1 , J. D. Higley2 , J. H. Krystal3 , D. Goldman2
  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Campus Charité-Mitte (CCM), Berlin, Germany
  • 2National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
  • 3NIAAA Center for the Translational Neuroscience of Alcoholism, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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Publication History

Publication Date:
15 December 2003 (online)

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The last decade witnessed a rapid increase in the knowledge of the etiopathology and treatment of alcoholism. The current disease concept includes psychosocial and neurobiological foundations and consequences of alcoholism. Neurobiological research points to dispositional factors such as a low level of response to alcohol, which is partly heritable and seems to be associated with monoaminergic dysfunction and reduced GABAergic alcohol effects. Chronic alcohol intake stimulates counteradaptive neuroadaptation in central GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission, which increases alcohol tolerance. Neuroadaptation to chronic alcohol effects is not immediately reversed during detoxification and can cause clinical withdrawal once alcohol intake is terminated. Sensitization of the dopaminergic and opioidergic reward system may contribute to alcohol craving and reduced control of alcohol intake. New treatment options include pharmacological approaches and indicate that behavior or motivational therapy and the attendance of patient groups may equally reduce the relapse risk.

Key words

Alcoholism - neuroadaptation - sensitization - alcohol cues - candidate genes

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Andreas Heinz; MD

Professor of Psychiatry

Director and Chair

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

Charité - University Medicine Berlin

Campus Charité-Mitte (CCM)

Schumannstr. 20/21

10117 Berlin

Germany

Phone: +49-30-450-517001

Fax: +49-30-450-517921

Email: andreas.heinz@charite.de

URL: http://www.charite.de/psychiatrie

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