Association of testosterone and BDNF serum levels with craving during alcohol withdrawal

Heberlein A, Lenz B, Opfermann B, Groschl M, Janke E, Stange K, Groh A, Kornhuber J, Frieling H, Bleich S, Hillemacher T (2016)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2016

Journal

Alcohol Elsevier Masson

Book Volume: 54

Pages Range: 67-72

DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2016.06.004

Abstract

Preclinical and clinical studies show associations between testosterone and brain-derived neurotrophic growth factor (BDNF) serum levels. BDNF and testosterone have been independently reported to influence alcohol consumption. Therefore, we aimed to investigate a possible interplay of testosterone and BDNF contributing to alcohol dependence. Regarding possible interplay of testosterone and BDNF and the activity of the hypothalamic pituitary axis (HPA), we included cortisol serum levels in our research. We investigated testosterone and BDNF serum levels in a sample of 99 male alcohol-dependent patients during alcohol withdrawal (day 1, 7, and 14) and compared them to a healthy male control group (n = 17). The testosterone serum levels were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in the patients' group than in the control group and decreased significantly during alcohol withdrawal (p < 0.001). The decrease of testosterone serum levels during alcohol withdrawal (days 1-7) was significantly associated with the BDNF serum levels (day 1: p = 0.008). In a subgroup of patients showing high cortisol serum levels (putatively mirroring high HPA activity), we found a significant association of BDNF and testosterone as well as with alcohol craving measured by the Obsessive and Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS). Our data suggest a possible association of BDNF and testosterone serum levels, which may be relevant for the symptomatology of alcohol dependence. Further studies are needed to clarify our results.

Authors with CRIS profile

Bernd Lenz Medizinische Fakultät Johannes Kornhuber Lehrstuhl für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie

Involved external institutions

Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH) / Hannover Medical School DE Germany (DE) celerion CH Switzerland (CH) Medizinischer Dienst der Krankenversicherungen Niedersachsen DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Heberlein, A., Lenz, B., Opfermann, B., Groschl, M., Janke, E., Stange, K.,... Hillemacher, T. (2016). Association of testosterone and BDNF serum levels with craving during alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol, 54, 67-72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.alcohol.2016.06.004

MLA:

Heberlein, Annemarie, et al. "Association of testosterone and BDNF serum levels with craving during alcohol withdrawal." Alcohol 54 (2016): 67-72.

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