Serotonergic function in cocaine addicts: prolactin responses to sequential D,L-fenfluramine challenges.

Background: Preclinical studies have shown that cocaine produces alterations in serotonergic function but our knowledge of the serotonergic alterations due to cocaine abuse in humans is still fragmentary. We therefore assessed the central serotonergic responsivity of cocaine addicts and control subjects by neuroendocrine challenges with the serotonin releaser and reuptake inhibitor D,L-fenfluramine (FEN).

Methods: Plasma prolactin levels following a 60 mg oral dose of FEN and placebo were studied in 25 hospitalized male cocaine addicts and 13 healthy male subjects.

Effect of fenfluramine challenge on cocaine craving in addicted male users.

The authors studied the effects of a challenging dose of the serotonin (5-HT)-releaser/reuptake inhibitor d,l-fenfluramine (FEN) on spontaneous cocaine craving in a group of cocaine-addicted users in order to evaluate the involvement of serotonergic pathways in the modulation of craving for cocaine. Nineteen cocaine-dependent male inpatients received 60 mg of FEN or placebo (double-blind). Data were compared with those obtained in a previous study of another serotonergic probe, the partial postsynaptic agonist meta-chlorophenyl-piperazine (m-CPP).

The meta-chlorophenylpiperazine challenge test in cocaine addicts: hormonal and psychological responses.

We report on the neuroendocrine and psychological responsivity of 31 cocaine addicts and 14 controls to the serotonergic agonist, meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP) (0.5 mg/kg p.o.

Hormonal, psychological, and alcohol craving changes after m-chlorophenylpiperazine administration in alcoholics.

To assess the serotonergic function of alcoholics, their neuroendocrine and psychological responsivities to the serotonergic partial agonist meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP) was compared with the responsitivity of healthy subjects. The effect of m-CPP on craving for alcohol was also assessed in the alcoholics. Sixteen patients and 14 controls were tested under double-blind, placebo-controlled conditions.

Craving for cocaine in addicted users. Role of serotonergic mechanisms.

Very few studies have examined the role of serotonin (5-HT) in the modulation of craving for cocaine in cocaine-addicted persons. The authors evaluated whether the acute increase in serotonergic neurotransmission after the administration of a challenging dose of the 5-HT partial agonist meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP) had an effect on spontaneous cocaine craving. Male inpatients (N = 31) who met DSM-III-R criteria for cocaine dependence completed 2 days of testing (separated by 48 hours) that involved the oral administration of m-CPP (0.