Serotonin in Alcoholism
Alcoholism, Healthy
About this trial
This is an observational trial for Alcoholism focused on measuring Serotonin Reuptake, Large Neutral Amino Acids, 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid, Alcoholism, PET, TRP, Tryptophan Depletion, Healthy Volunteer
Eligibility Criteria
INCLUSION CRITERIA: Patients who have met standard DSM-IV R criteria for alcohol dependence and limited number psychiatric conditions that characterize patients with mood disorders that are difficult to separate from their alcohol use. Age and sex matched healthy research comparison participants. The healthy research comparison participants need to be free of medical, neurological, and psychiatric illness. They should be medication free at the time of study. They should not meet criteria for alcohol or substance abuse, and cannot have a history of such use placing them in questionable diagnostic categories. The age range of study participants is from 18 to 65 years. Subjects from a diverse racial, ethnic, and gender backgrounds will be included in the study. This is because alcohol dependence manifests itself differently in different racial and gender groups. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Significant medical problems, e.g., active GI bleed, cancer, active hepatitis B infection or other medical diseases associated with liver pathology other than hepatitis C or alcoholism (e.g. Hemochromatosis). Other psychiatric illnesses represent diagnostic categories not eligible for this study. Examples of these include Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, acute or chronic psychotic illness (e.g. Schizophrenia), and Substance Induced Mood Disorders (i.e. secondary to illicit drug dependence; e.g. heroin, cocaine, crack, PCP, and other illicit substances that affect brain function). Intravenous drug use within the past three months. Drug or medication use, strongly associated with liver dysfunction, CNS effects, or impaired GI absorption (e.g. high doses of acetaminophen, neuroleptic medications, and narcotic medications). History of significant GI surgery (e.g. Roux en Y procedure, partial gastrectomy), which would interfere with normal GI absorption of dietary constituents. Coagulation defects or lack of dual circulation. Severe iron deficiency anemia, marked low hematocrit or hemoglobin. Pregnancy: a positive pregnancy test will preclude further participation in this protocol. Inability to give a clinical history or informed consent. Positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnosis: patients with positive HIV status/AIDS will be excluded form the study. Individuals may be excluded from entering the study at the discretion of the Principal Investigator, Dr. Williams, based on his clinical judgment. Participants who have had an adverse reaction that mimics any of the anticipated adverse events in response to a pharmacological challenge study or to a prescribed medication. Cranial mass.
Sites / Locations
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)