Current
Drug Abuse Reviews
ISSN: 1874-4737
Current Drug Abuse Reviews
Volume 2, Number 1, January 2009
Contents
Editorial: The “Hair of
the Dog”: A Useful Hangover Remedy or a Predictor of
Future Problem Drinking? Pp. 1-4
Joris C. Verster
[PMID:
19630732 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Measuring the Impact of Psychoactive Substance
on Health-Related Quality of Life: An Update Pp.
5-10
Francisco González-Saiz, Oscar Lozano Rojas and
Ioseba Iraurgi Castillo
[Abstract]
[Full
text article] [PMID:
19630733 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Parallel Roles for Dopamine in Pathological Gambling
and Psychostimulant Addiction Pp. 11-25
Martin Zack and Constantine X. Poulos
[Abstract] [Full
text article]
[PMID:
19630734 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Why Should We Keep the Cerebellum in Mind When Thinking
About Addiction? Pp. 26-40
Marta Miquel, Rebeca Toledo, Luis I. García, Genaro
A. Coria-Avila and Jorge Manzo
[Abstract] [Full
text article]
[PMID:
19630735 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Ethanol Withdrawal and Hyperalgesia Pp. 41-50
Michael B. Gatch
[Abstract]
[Full text article]
[PMID:
19630736 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Phytocannabinoids and Endocannabinoids Pp.
51-75
Zdenek Fišar
[Abstract] [Full
text article]
[PMID:
19630737 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
The Role of Glial Cells in Drug Abuse Pp.
76-82
Jose Javier Miguel-Hidalgo
[Abstract] [Full
text article]
[PMID:
19630738 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Ligands as Potential
Therapeutics for Addiction Pp. 83-98
M. Foster Olive
[Abstract] [Full
text article]
[PMID:
19630739 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Drug Abuse, Brain Calcification and Glutamate-Induced
Neurodegeneration Pp. 99-112
Manuel J. Rodríguez, Marco Pugliese and
Nicole Mahy
[Abstract] [Full
text article]
[PMID:
19630740 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Abstracts
[Back to top]
[PMID:
19630732 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Editorial: The “Hair of the Dog”: A Useful
Hangover Remedy or a Predictor of Future Problem Drinking?
The idea that cures can be similar to the toxic compound dates
back to the times of Hippocrates. The “hair of the dog
(that bit you)” is a phrase to indicate that alcohol
can ease the after-effects of excessive drinking. It has been
claimed by both social drinkers and alcoholics, that alcohol
consumption the morning following excessive drinking will
quickly relief hangover symptoms.
The unpleasant after-effects of an evening of drinking, collectively
called hangover, comprise various symptoms including but not
limited to headache, gastrointestinal disturbances (e.g.,
stomach pain, vomiting and nausea), dehydration effects (e.g.,
thirst, dry mouth) and mood changes (e.g., guilt, depressive
and anxious feelings). In addition, reduced alertness and
concentration problems may cause cognitive impairment such
as memory deficits [1-3]. Hangover symptoms become more pronounced
when blood alcohol levels are declining and are most intense
when the blood alcohol concentration is zero. The hangover
state may last up to 12-24 hours after alcohol consumption.
Alcohol hangovers have serious socioeconomic consequences.
The hangover state may affect job performance in various ways
ranging from poor job performance to mistakes, conflicts,
or accidents which eventually can result in injury or even
death. Ames and colleagues [4] showed that those who experienced
hangovers during work reported significantly more often feeling
sick at work. They have more often been criticized by a supervisor,
had conflicts or fights with co-workers, had significantly
more problems in completing the job, and reported more often
falling asleep at work. The frequency of problems increases
when people more often reported having hangovers at work.
The study by Ames and colleagues revealed that the number
of days of absenteeism did not differ between people with
hangovers and other workers. Whereas some people may call
sick, many people regard having a hangover as their own fault
and present at work the day after excessive drinking.
Some people never complain of hangovers the day following
a heavy drinking session. Howland and colleagues [5] recently
reviewed the literature and concluded that approximately 23%
of drinkers seem resistant to alcohol hangover. These drinkers
may be at increased risk of continuing harmful drinking behavior,
because they do not experience the day-after punishment. It
remains unknown why these people do not experience hangovers.
Although the vast majority of excessive drinkers do experience
alcohol hangovers, the scientific community has paid little
attention to its pathology and possible treatment. This can
be explained by the fact that physicians do not view hangover
as a disease, but as a consequence of unwanted behavior. In
fact, alcohol hangover can be easily prevented by moderating
alcohol consumption. Moreover, finding a cure for hangovers
might result in more excessive drinking episodes. This makes
treating alcohol hangover a controversial topic.
Hangover is the most frequently reported alcohol-related consequence
among college students [6]. Of concern, heavy drinking students
do not seem to learn from negative alcohol-related consequences
such as hangovers. Instead, often they do not change their
drinking behavior, and they overestimate the amount of alcohol
they can consume without having a hangover the following day
[7]. Recent research supports the idea that people who do
not anticipate having a hangover are at greatest risk for
problem drinking [8].
The call for effective hangover cures is probably as old as
the use of alcoholic beverages. A look at the Internet shows
that hangover treatments are popular among drinkers: a simple
search revealed over 300.000 hits. Every year new anti-hangover
products are marketed on flashy sites that claim the effectiveness
of these hangover remedies by stating that they are ‘clinically
tested’. Spectacular stories are told to sell these
products. For example, some anti-hangover drugs are promoted
as ‘KGB pills’ used by Russian spies while others
state that the compound has been thoroughly investigated by
eminent scientist. However, these are misleading claims, since
peer-reviewed scientific publications that proof the effectiveness
of these products do not exist.
A recent review of the literature on hangover treatments and
preventives [9] concludes that the effectiveness of the vast
majority of marketed hangover cures has not been scientifically
tested. Those products that have been tested do not adequately
cure alcohol hangovers. Since the pathology of alcohol hangover
is unclear, the lack of an effective hangover cure is not
a
surprise.
A survey among Dutch students [10] shows that various methods
are practiced to ease the after-effects of alcohol (Fig. 1).
Fig. (1). Hangover interventions practiced by Dutch
college students. Effectiveness was indicated on
a scale ranging from 0 (not at all effective) to 8 (100% effective).
The percentage of students that reported having used this
intervention at least once during the past 12 months is indicated
as well [10].
Notably, Fig. (1) shows that commercial hangover
treatments are not very popular among students. This is probably
caused by the fact that these treatments are relatively expensive
in comparison to other interventions; perhaps students prefer
spending their money on alcohol. Drinking water, a heavy (fat)
breakfast and extensive sleeping were reported most frequently.
Social drinkers and alcoholics claim that drinking more alcohol
gives a quick relief of hangover symptoms. Results from a
survey among 454 undergraduate students at the University
of Missouri-Columbia revealed that 25 percent of students
that ever experienced a hangover reported having used alcohol
as a hangover cure [11]. Alcohol use after waking up was associated
with more drinking days, more often getting drunk and binge
drinking occasions when compared to students that had not
tried alcohol as hangover cure. Moreover, those reporting
using alcohol as a cure consumed approximately 2 to 3 times
as much alcohol on a single drinking occasion than other students.
Most students who reported ever using alcohol as a hangover
remedy did this on very few occasions. Those students that
did so more often (over 25% of the time they had a hangover)
had a significantly higher lifetime alcohol dependence diagnosis.
Hence, the use of alcohol as a hangover cure seems to predict
current or future problem drinking.
Results from a Dutch survey support the idea that the use
of alcohol to ease hangovers is a key marker of problem drinking
[10]. Students that reported having used alcohol as a hangover
cure during the past 12 months had significantly higher weekly
alcohol consumption rates, whereas they did not differ regarding
frequency of hangovers. There are marked differences in drinking
behavior between students who use alcohol as a cure and those
who do not (Fig. 2). The former reported
significantly more drinking days, more binge drinking days,
consumed more alcohol on a night out, were more often member
of a student fraternity, and smoked more cigarettes daily.
Fig. (2). Drinking behavior characteristics
of students that use alcohol as a hangover cure and report
morning alcohol consumption as either effective (N=93) or
not effective (N=122) in alleviating hangover symptoms versus
students that have not tried alcohol as a hangover cure (N=65).
Differences between the three groups are significant (p<0.05)
[10].
The sobering conclusion of this Editorial is that no cure
or treatment has proven to be truly effective to battle alcohol
hangovers. Hence, the best was to avoid hangovers is practicing
abstinence or moderate alcohol consumption.
REFERENCES
[1] McKinney A, Coyle K. Next day effects of a normal night’s
drinking on memory and psychomotor performance. Alcohol Alcohol
2004; 39: 509-13.
[2] Prat G, Adan A, Pérez-Pàmies M, Sànchez-Turet
M. Neurocognitive effects of alcohol hangover. Addict Behav
2009, 33:15-23.
[3] Verster JC, Van Duin D, Volkerts ER, Schreuder AHCML,
Verbaten MN. Alcohol hangover effects on memory functioning
and vigilance performance after an evening of binge drinking.
Neuropsychopharmacology 2003; 28: 740-6.
[4] Ames GM, Grube JW, Moore RS. The relationship of drinking
and hangovers to workplace problems: an empirical study. J
Stud Alcohol 1997; 58: 37-47.
[5] Howland J, Rohsenow DJ, Edwards EM. Are some drinkers
resistant to hangover? A literature review. Curr Drug Abuse
Rev 2009; 1: 42-6.
[6] Verster JC, Van Herwijnen J, Olivier B, Kahler CW. Validation
of the dutch brief young adult alcohol consequences questionnaire
(B-YAACQ). Addict Behav, in press.
[7] Mallett KA, Lee CM, Neighbors C, Larimer ME, Turrisi R.
Do we learn from our mistakes? An examination of the impact
of negative alcohol-related consequences on college students’
drinking patterns and perceptions. J Stud Alcohol 2006, 67:
269-76.
[8] Rodriguez CA, Span SA. ADHD symptoms, anticipated hangover
symptoms, and drinking habits in female college students.
Addict Behav 2009; 33: 1031-8.
[9] Verster JC. Alcohol hangover frequency, severity and interventions
among Dutch college students. Alcoholism: Clin Exp Res 2006,
30(Suppl 6): 157A.
[10] Pittler MH, Verster JC, Ernst E. Interventions for preventing
or treating alcohol hangover: systematic review of randomized
trials. Br Med J 2005; 331: 1515-8.
[11] Hunt-Carter EE, Slutske WS, Piasecki TM. Characteristics
and correlates to relieve hangover in a college sample. Alcoholism:
Clin Exp Res 2005; 29(Suppl): 152A.
Joris C. Verster
(Editor-in-Chief)
Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS)
Section Psychopharmacology (W038A)
Faculty of Science
Utrecht University
P.O. Box 80082
3508 TB Utrecht
The Netherlands
E-mail: J.C.Verster@uu.nl
[Back to top]
[PMID:
19630733 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Measuring the Impact of Psychoactive Substance
on Health-Related Quality of Life: An Update
Francisco González-Saiz, Oscar Lozano Rojas and
Ioseba Iraurgi Castillo
[Full
text article]
Background: The number of publications dealing with
measurement of the quality of life and health in the area
of drug dependence has increased in recent years. Its main
application is as an indicator of the effectiveness of intervention
in harm reduction, although there are also comparative and
methodological studies.
Data Sources and Study Selection: The literature
was reviewed to identify studies on abuse or substance dependence
and HRQoL. The bibliographic sources used for the review are
PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycInfo. Additional arti-cles
were identified from references to relevant articles.
Results: 111 articles were identified. The HRQoL
of people who abuse or are dependent on substances is lower
than the general population. The presence of physical and
psychiatric comorbidity also affects patients dependent on
opiates, and substitution programs improve HRQoL.
Conclusion: The measurement of HRQoL in the area
of drug dependence is a suitable complement for finding out
the deterioration caused by substance use, abuse or dependence.
It is also a useful indicator for evaluating therapeutic results
in this population.
[Back to top]
[PMID:
19630734 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Parallel Roles for Dopamine in Pathological Gambling
and Psychostimulant Addiction
Martin Zack and Constantine X. Poulos
[Full
text article]
A variety of evidence suggests important commonalities in
the neurochemical basis of reinforcement in pathological gambling
(PG) and psychostimulant addiction. This article focuses on
the parallel and specific roles that dopamine (DA) activation
plays in these two disorders, beyond its generic role in reinforcement.
A psychostimulant-mimetic model for PG is proposed based on
evidence from the following domains: Acute subjective-behavioral
effects of gambling and psychostimulants; Effects of anticipated
rewards and uncertainty of reward delivery (key elements of
gambling) on DA release; Relationship between DA release and
positive arousal; Cross-priming of motivation for gambling
by amphetamine; Effects of DA D2 antagonists on gambling and
amphetamine reward; Effects of mixed D1-D2 antagonists on
clinical symptoms of PG; Effects of DA D2 agonists on experimental
measures of risk-taking, gambling, and induction of PG in
patients with Parkinson’s disease; Electrophysiological
and cognitive disturbances associated with chronic exposure
to gambling and psychostimulants, and the possible role of
sensitization in these effects. Limitations of the model regarding
the exclusive role of DA are discussed with particular reference
to genetic risk, co-morbidity, and sub-types of PG. Suggestions
for future research include isolating the roles of DA receptor
subtypes in PG, and parallel within-subject assessment of
DA manipulations on gambling and psychostimulant reinforcement
in PG subjects and controls.
[Back to top]
[PMID:
19630735 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Why Should We Keep the Cerebellum in Mind When Thinking
About Addiction?
Marta Miquel, Rebeca Toledo, Luis I. García, Genaro
A. Coria-Avila and Jorge Manzo
[Full text article]
Increasing evidence has involved the cerebellum in functions
beyond the sphere of motor control. In the present article,
we review evidence that involves the cerebellum in addictive
behaviour. We aimed on molecular and cellular targets in the
cerebellum where addictive drugs can act and induce mechanisms
of neuroplasticity that may contribute to the development
of an addictive pattern of behaviour. Also, we analyzed the
behavioural consequences of repetitive drug administration
that result from activity-dependent changes in the efficacy
of cerebellar synapses.
Revised research involves the cerebellum in drug-induced long-term
memory, drug-induced sensitization and the perseverative behavioural
phenotype. Results agree to relevant participation of the
cerebellum in the functional systems underlying drug addiction.
The molecular and cellular actions of addictive drugs in the
cerebellum involve long-term adaptative changes in receptors,
neurotransmitters and intracellular signalling transduction
pathways that may lead to the re-organization of cerebellar
microzones and in turn to functional networks where the cerebellum
is an important nodal structure. We propose that drug induced
activity-dependent synaptic changes in the cerebellum are
crucial to the transition from a pattern of recreational drug
taking to the compulsive behavioural phenotype. Functional
and structural modifications produced by drugs in the cerebellum
may enhance the susceptibility of fronto-cerebellar circuitry
to be changed by repeated drug exposure. As a part of this
functional reorganization, drug-induced cerebellar hyper-responsiveness
appears to be central to reducing the influence of executive
control of the prefrontal cortex on behaviour and aiding the
transition to an automatic mode of control.
[Back to top]
[PMID:
19630736 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Ethanol Withdrawal and Hyperalgesia
Michael B. Gatch
[Full
text article]
Hyperalgesia has been observed during ethanol withdrawal,
comparable to the hyperalgesia observed during withdrawal
from opioids. To determine the extent of this phenomenon and
its potential mechanisms, both behavioral and in vitro
studies are examined, and the roles of GABAA,
glutamate and other receptors in mediating the acute and chronic
antinociceptive effects of ethanol are reviewed. Hyperalgesia
during ethanol withdrawal is a robust phenomenon that has
been observed in various strains of mice and rats, with different
methods of exposure to ethanol, and with a variety of nociceptive
assays. GABA receptors play an important role in mediating
the antinociceptive effects of ethanol, but too little research
has examined the role of glutamate receptors to make any conclusion
about their importance. Adenosine receptors, calcium channels,
and protein kinase C appear to play central roles in mediating
tolerance to antinociceptive effects of ethanol and mediating
the hyperalgesia seen during withdrawal. Although some key
pathways have been identified, further mechanistic work is
necessary to fully characterize the mechanisms for the development
of hyperalgesia following chronic exposure to ethanol. An
understanding of how the hyperalgesia may fit in with other
manifestations of ethanol withdrawal may be an important variable
in determining treatment outcome. Clinical research is essential
to determine the significance of the hyperalgesia to the severity
of withdrawal and to relapse.
[Back to top]
[PMID:
19630737 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Phytocannabinoids and Endocannabinoids
Zdenek Fišar
[Full
text article]
Progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms of cannabis
action was made after discovery of cannabinoid receptors in
the brain and the finding of endogenous metabolites with affinity
to them. Activation of cannabinoid receptors on synaptic terminals
results in regulation of ion channels, neurotransmitter release
and synaptic plasticity. Neuromodulation of synapses by the
cannabinoids is proving to have a wide range of functional
effects, making them potential targets as medical preparations
in a variety of illnesses, including some mental disorders
and neurodegenerative illnesses. Cannabis contains a large
amount of substances with affinity for the cannabinoid receptors.
The endocannabinoids are a family of lipid neurotransmitters
that engage the same membrane receptors targeted by tetrahydrocannabinol
and that mediate retrograde signal from postsynaptic neurons
to presynaptic ones. Discovery of endogenous cannabinoids
and studies of the physiological functions of the cannabinoid
system in the brain and body are producing a number of important
findings about the role of membrane lipids and fatty acids
in nerve signal transduction. Plant, endogenous and synthetic
cannabinoids are using in these studies. The role of lipid
membranes in the cannabinoid system follows from the fact
that the source and supply of endogenous cannabinoids are
derived from arachidonic acid, an important membrane constituent.
The study of structure-activity relationships of molecules
which influence the cannabinoid system in the brain and body
is crucial in search of medical preparations with the therapeutic
effects of the phytocannabinoids without the negative effects
on cognitive function attributed to cannabis.
[Back to top]
[PMID:
19630738 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
The Role of Glial Cells in Drug Abuse
Jose Javier Miguel-Hidalgo
[Full
text article]
Neuronal dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex, limbic structures,
nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area is considered
to underlie the general physiopathological mechanisms for
substance use disorders. Glutamatergic, dopaminergic and opioidoergic
neuronal mechanisms in those brain areas have been targeted
in the development of pharmaco-therapies for drug abuse and
dependence. However, despite the pivotal role of neurons in
the mechanisms of addiction, these cells are not the only
cell type in charge of sustaining and regulating neurotransmission.
Glial cells, particularly astrocytes, play essential roles
in the regulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission, neurotransmitter
metabolism, and supply of energy substrates for synaptic transmission.
In addition, astrocytes are markedly affected by exposure
to ethanol and other substances of abuse. These features of
astrocytes suggest that alterations in the function of astrocytes
and other glial cells in reward circuits may contribute to
drug addiction. Recent research has shown that the control
of glutamate uptake and the release of neurotrophic factors
by astrocytes influences behaviors of addiction and may play
modulatory roles in psychostimulant, opiate, and alcohol abuse.
Less is known about the contributions of microglia and oligodendrocytes
to drug abuse, although, given the ability of these cells
to produce growth factors and cytokines in response to alterations
in synaptic transmission, further research should better define
their role in drug addiction. The available knowledge on the
involvement of glial cells in addictive behaviors suggests
that regulation of glutamate transport and neurotrophins may
constitute new avenues for the treatment of drug addiction.
[Back to top]
[PMID:
19630739 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Ligands as Potential
Therapeutics for Addiction
M. Foster Olive
[Full
text article]
There is now compelling evidence that the excitatory amino
acid neurotransmitter glutamate plays a pivotal role in drug
addiction and alcoholism. As a result, there has been increasing
interest in developing glutamate-based therapies for the treatment
of addictive disorders. Receptors for glutamate are primarily
divided into two classes: ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs)
that mediate fast excitatory glutamate transmission, and metabotropic
glutamate receptors (mGluRs), which are G-protein coupled
receptors that mediate slower, modulatory glutamate transmission.
Most iGluR antagonists, while showing some efficacy in animal
models of addiction, exhibit serious side effects when tested
in humans. mGluR ligands, on the other hand, which have been
advanced to testing in clinical trials for various medical
conditions, have demonstrated the ability to reduce drug reward,
reinforcement, and relapse-like behaviors in animal studies.
mGluR ligands that have been shown to be primarily effective
are Group I (mGluR1 and mGluR5) negative allosteric modulators
and Group II (mGluR2 and mGluR3) orthosteric presynaptic autoreceptor
agonists. In this review, we will summarize findings from
animal studies suggesting that these mGluR ligands may be
of potential benefit in reducing on-going drug self-administration
and may aid in the prevention of relapse. The neuroanatomical
distribution of mGluR1, mGluR2/3, and mGluR5 receptors and
the pharmacological properties of Group I negative allosteric
modulators and Group II agonists will also be overviewed.
Finally, we will discuss the current status of mGluR ligands
in human clinical trials.
[Back to top]
[PMID:
19630740 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Drug Abuse, Brain Calcification and Glutamate-Induced
Neurodegeneration
Manuel J. Rodríguez, Marco Pugliese and
Nicole Mahy
[Full
text article]
Positive and negative reinforcing systems are part of the
mechanism of drug dependence. Drugs with abuse potential may
change the manner of response to negative emotional stimuli,
activate positive emotional reactions and possess primary
reinforcing properties. Catecholaminergic and peptidergic
processes are of importance in these mechanisms. Current research
needs to understand the types of adaptations that underlie
the particularly long-lived aspects of addiction. Presently,
glutamate is candidate to play a role in the enduring effects
of drugs of abuse. For example, it participates in the chronic
pathological changes of corticostriatal terminals produced
by methamphetamine. At the synaptic level, a link be-tween
over-activation of glutamate receptors, [Ca2+]i
increase and neuronal damage has been clearly established
leading to neurodegeneration. Thus, neurodegeneration can
start after an acute over-stimulation whose immediate effects
depend on a diversity of calcium-activated mechanisms. If
sufficient, the initial insult results in calcification and
activation of a chronic on-going process with a progressive
loss of neurons. At present, long-term effects of drug dependence
underlie an excitotoxicity process linked to a polysynaptic
pathway that dynamically regulates synaptic glutamate. Retaliatory
mechanisms include energy capability of the neurons, inhibitory
systems and cytoplasmic calcium precipitation as part of the
neuron-glia interactions. This paper presents an integrated
view of these molecular and cellular mechanisms to help understand
their relationship and interdependence in a chronic pathological
process that suggest new targets for therapeutic intervention.
|
