Introduction: Acamprosate and naltrexone have been shown to be effective in relapse prevention of alcoholism. It is hypothesized that naltrexone exerts its effects primarily on cue-induced craving and neuroendocrine cue reactivity, whereas acamprosate exerts its effect primarily on autonomic nervous system reactions to alcohol-related cues.

Experimental Procedures: In a randomized double-blind experiment, 131 abstinent alcoholics received either acamprosate (n=56), naltrexone (n=52) or placebo (n=23) for three weeks and participated in two cue-exposure sessions: the first the day before and the second at the last day of medication.

Results: Consistent with the hypotheses, naltrexone reduced craving more than acamprosate, and acamprosate reduced heart rate more than naltrexone. No medication effect was found on cue-induced cortisol.

Discussion: The findings provide some evidence for differential effects of naltrexone and acamprosate: naltrexone may exert its effect, at least partly, by the reduction of cue-induced craving, whereas acamprosate may exert its effect, at least partly, by the reduction of autonomic nervous system reactions to alcohol-related cues.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2007.02.012DOI Listing

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