Psychobiological responses to drug cues before and after methadone intake in heroin-dependent patients: A pilot study

Walter, Marc; Wiesbeck, Gerhard A.; Bloch, Nicole; Aeschbach, Sacha; Olbrich, H. M.; Seifritz, Erich; Dürsteler‐MacFarland, Kenneth M.

doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2008.01.005

Cited by 34 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Our group previously found suppressed cortisol concentrations and reduced craving scores after acute methadone administration in heroin-dependent patients [9]. We also demonstrated a normalized HPA axis response as well as a decrease in negative feelings such as anxiety and craving when heroin-dependent patients received their regular dose of DAM [10, 11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 66%

Epigenetic Effects of Intravenous Diacetylmorphine on the Methylation of POMC and NR3C1

Groh¹,

Rhein²,

Buchholz³

et al. 2017

Neuropsychobiology

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The administration of diacetylmorphine (DAM) reduces the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in opioid-maintained patients. However, the epigenetic effects of DAM on addiction-related genes have not been investigated yet. In a randomized controlled study, we examined the immediate effects of intravenous DAM versus placebo on the promoter methylation of the POMC (pro- opiomelanocortin) and NR3C1 (glucocorticoid receptor 1) genes. Twenty-eight heroin-dependent patients on DAM-assisted treatment received either DAM or saline in a randomized crossover design and 17 healthy participants received saline only. EDTA blood samples were taken 25 min before and 10 min after the injection of DAM or saline. We found reciprocal regulation effects for DAM versus saline application regarding the methylation of POMC; while DAM injection significantly increased methylation, saline injection led to a significant decrease in methylation for patients as well as controls. NR3C1 data did not show significant changes in methylation. Injection of DAM blunted stress hormone levels and the POMC promoter methylation of heroin-dependent patients. These findings provide first preliminary insights into the epigenetic mechanisms underlying the emotional regulation effects of DAM-assisted treatment in severe heroin-dependent patients.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 66%

Epigenetic Effects of Intravenous Diacetylmorphine on the Methylation of POMC and NR3C1

Groh¹,

Rhein²,

Buchholz³

et al. 2017

Neuropsychobiology

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“…Opioid agonists, on the other hand, are associated with a reduction in stress hormone secretion [28,29]. In preliminary studies, our group also found that opioids suppress cortisol concentrations in heroin-dependent patients and reduce craving after methadone administration [30,31]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…The suppressive effect of opioids in general [12,13,14,15,16] and of methadone in particular [25,30] on stress hormone secretion and subjective craving has already been shown. Our recent uncontrolled study also found reduced cortisol concentrations in heroin-dependent patients after they had received DAM [31].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Samples were collected at baseline (at least 1 h after awakening, 7.30 a.m.) and 20 min (9.00 a.m.) and 60 min after substance administration (10.30 a.m.). Salivary cortisol was analyzed with a time-resolved immunoassay with fluorescence detection, as described elsewhere [30]. Total cortisol concentrations were measured in serum with the Immulite 2000 cortisol test (Siemens, Germany).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Impact of Diacetylmorphine on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Activity and Heroin Craving in Heroin Dependence

et al. 2012

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Background/Aim: Heroin dependence is a chronic relapsing disorder characterized by the compulsion to seek and use heroin. Stress and craving are seen as key factors for heroin use. Moreover, altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function has been frequently reported. However, the acute effects of diacetylmorphine (DAM) on HPA axis activity and craving have not been investigated in a controlled study. The present randomized controlled study examined whether DAM administration differs from placebo (saline) administration with regard to HPA axis response and heroin craving. Methods: In a crossover experiment, 28 DAM-maintained heroin-dependent patients were first injected with DAM and then saline, or the converse. Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol in saliva and serum were measured at baseline and 20 and 60 min after both injections. Heroin craving was measured at baseline and 60 min after both injections, by means of the Heroin Craving Questionnaire. Results: Compared to saline, DAM administration induced a significant decrease in plasma ACTH (p < 0.01), serum cortisol (p < 0.0001) and saliva cortisol (p < 0.01), as well as in craving (p < 0.0001), over time. Conclusion: Since acute DAM administration suppresses the stress response, DAM-assisted treatment may be an effective alternative to methadone maintenance in stress-sensitive heroin-dependent patients.

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“…Therefore, we now collect the psychophysiological data until the next morning as the sensor system enables ambulatory, unconstrained measurements outside a supervised lab inspection. Further research includes the use of machine-learning algorithms to gain a deeper insight in the parameter structure and larger randomized trials, while the small sample size could also limit our findings [5].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Interdisciplinary Workshop to Identify Alcohol Craving Based on Psychophysiological Sensor Data

Schulze¹,

Scharnweber

Janke

et al. 2013

Biomedical Engineering / Biomedizinische Technik

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Psychobiological responses to drug cues before and after methadone intake in heroin-dependent patients: A pilot study

Cited by 34 publications

References 25 publications

Epigenetic Effects of Intravenous Diacetylmorphine on the Methylation of <b><i>POMC</i></b> and <b><i>NR3C1</i></b>

Epigenetic Effects of Intravenous Diacetylmorphine on the Methylation of <b><i>POMC</i></b> and <b><i>NR3C1</i></b>

The Impact of Diacetylmorphine on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Activity and Heroin Craving in Heroin Dependence

An Interdisciplinary Workshop to Identify Alcohol Craving Based on Psychophysiological Sensor Data

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