01 December 2007
Alcohol craving, limbic irritability, and stress
Denisa JasovaABCDEF, Petr BobACDEFG, Peter Fedor-FreyberghDFMed Sci Monit 2007; 13(12): CR543-547 :: ID: 563763
Abstract
Background
Recent findings indicate that craving during alcohol withdrawal, also in abstinent patients, can relate to kindling phenomena caused by sensitization in temporo-limbic structures. Because limbic structures are involved in stress, anxiety, and emotional processing, kindling and temporolimbic seizure-like activity are also closely related to various psychiatric symptoms frequently presented without seizure disorders. Recent findings also show that these seizure-like processes are related to limbic irritability, which may also be significantly influenced by stressful life events.
Material and Method
The hypothesis tested in the present study is that limbic irritability could be closely related to craving symptoms. Therefore, limbic irritability and craving were assessed using psychometric measures in 40 alcohol-dependent patients and the results were compared with those of 40 healthy controls.
Results
Statistical analysis showed highly significant correlation (r=0.75, p<0.0000001) between limbic irritability (LSCL-33) and craving (ACQ-R) and highly increased limbic irritability scores in the patients compared with the healthy controls.
Conclusions
The results indicate that craving symptoms are related to the kindling process presented in the form of cognitive, affective, sensory, somatic, behavioral, and memory symptoms linked to limbic irritability and temporo-limbic seizure-like activity.
Keywords: Substance Withdrawal Syndrome - physiopathology, Psychometrics, Stress, Psychological - physiopathology, Leg - physiopathology, Kindling, Neurologic, Hand - physiopathology, Ethanol - adverse effects, Emotions - physiology
Editorial
01 March 2024 : Editorial
Editorial: First Regulatory Approvals for CRISPR-Cas9 Therapeutic Gene Editing for Sickle Cell Disease and Transfusion-Dependent β-ThalassemiaDOI: 10.12659/MSM.944204
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e944204
In Press
21 Feb 2024 : Clinical Research
Potential Value of HSP90α in Prognosis of Triple-Negative Breast CancerMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943049
22 Feb 2024 : Review article
Differentiation of Native Vertebral Osteomyelitis: A Comprehensive Review of Imaging Techniques and Future ...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943168
23 Feb 2024 : Clinical Research
A Study of 60 Patients with Low Back Pain to Compare Outcomes Following Magnetotherapy, Ultrasound, Laser, ...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943732
26 Feb 2024 : Clinical Research
Predictive Value of Combined HbA1c and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942509
Most Viewed Current Articles
17 Jan 2024 : Review article
Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron VariantDOI :10.12659/MSM.942799
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799
16 May 2023 : Clinical Research
Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387
14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research
Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase LevelsDOI :10.12659/MSM.937990
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990
01 Jan 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952