Rapid opiate detoxication in outpatient treatment: relationship with naltrexone compliance.

A variety of detoxification methods have been utilized for the treatment of heroin withdrawal before individuals begin long-term opiate-free and naltrexone programs. While methadone in decreasing doses is still widely used for detoxication procedures, rapid and ultrarapid protocols including clonidine and opiate receptors antagonists have been proposed. This study compares the efficacy of different detoxification methods and investigates possible changes in naltrexone compliance.

Regional cerebral blood flow and comorbid diagnosis in abstinent opioid addicts.

Studies using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) have found low cerebral blood flow (CBF) in frontal and parietal cortices in patients with chronic opiate dependence. In the present study, SPECT with 99mTc-HMPAO as tracer was used to compare 27 detoxified opiate addicts with nine healthy control subjects. All the subjects were evaluated with clinical psychiatric (DSM-IV), psychometric and neuropsychological measures.

Gastrin levels in patients with colorectal cancer.

Background/aims: In view of previous studies showing gastrin's trophic effects on tumor growth, the authors decided to investigate the relationship between fasting serum gastrin levels and the presence of colorectal carcinoma.

Methodology: Fifty-eight patients were studied: 19 controls who were blood bank donors, 19 patients with colorectal neoplasms, Dukes' Stage B or C, and 20 patients with advanced colorectal neoplasms (Dukes' Stage D). Pre-surgical and post-surgical serum gastrin levels were compared in patients with colorectal neoplasms (Dukes' Stage B or C).

Naloxone and metergoline effects on growth hormone response to gamma-hydroxybutyric acid.

Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) has been recently used in alcohol detoxification, but conflicting data are available concerning the central mechanism of action of this GABA catabolite. GHB ability to stimulate growth hormone (GH) secretion has been reported. Our previous studies revealed the ability of flumazenil (a benzodiazepine antagonist) to counteract GHB effects on GH secretion.

Clonidine and opiate receptor antagonists in the treatment of heroin addiction.

Good results in detoxification methods have been reached using both together clonidine and opiate receptors antagonists. One hundred fifty-two heroin-abusing patients were studied evaluating withdrawal symptoms after therapy with (a) clonidine only, (b) clonidine and naltrexone, (c) clonidine and naloxone, and (d) placebos. Treatment results, emotional and behavioral changes, and involvement in psychosocial programs were evaluated after a 6-month follow-up.