Correlation of Stable Elevations in Striatal μ-Opioid Receptor Availability in Detoxified Alcoholic Patients With Alcohol Craving

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Abstract
Stimulation of μ-opiate receptors in the ventral striatum, including the nucleus accumbens, increases the hedonic effects of alcohol and food intake.1,2 Alcohol-preferring rodents displayed low central endorphin concentrations and a high μ-opiate receptor availability in the ventral and dorsal striatum and prefrontal cortex.3,4 Using a superfusion system, de Waele et al5 observed that ethanol caused a release of β-endorphins from the hypothalami of ethanol-preferring AA (alko-alcohol) line of rats that was greater than the release in non–alcohol-preferring ANA (alko nonalcohol) line of rats. Alcohol-induced endorphin release may interact with elevated μ-opiate receptors in the ventral striatum, thus mediating the rewarding effects of alcohol consumption. Conversely, blockade of μ-opiate receptors with naltrexone reduced the hedonic effects of alcohol intake and the relapse risk among alcoholic patients.6-10