Abstract
Rationale: Late onset type 1 alcoholism has been suggested to be associated with an underlying dopaminergic defect. Therefore, it is relevant to study both postsynaptic D2-receptor and presynaptic dopamine transporter (DAT) densities among alcoholics. Objective: We investigated DAT densities, along with striatal and extrastriatal dopamine D2-receptor densities, in nine non-violent late-onset male alcoholics, who had no major mental disorder nor antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), and nine healthy controls. Methods: [123I]PE2I and [123I]epidepride were used in SPECT imaging. Results: DAT occupancy ratios (striatum/cerebellum) were significantly lower among alcoholics than in controls. Extrastriatal D2-receptor occupancy ratios (temporal pole/cerebellum) were not significantly different between the groups. Conclusions: Striatal presynaptic DAT densities are decreased among type 1 alcoholics, and this finding is not associated with recent alcohol abuse.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 22 March 1999 / Final version: 25 June 1999
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Repo, E., Kuikka, J., Bergström, K. et al. Dopamine transporter and D2-receptor density in late-onset alcoholism. Psychopharmacology 147, 314–318 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002130051173
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002130051173