This application proposes three studies that investigate the role of the stress in mediating alcohol's positive reinforcement effects. Alcohol's positive reinforcement is partly provided by the mesolimbic dopamine system. Corticosteroids (cort), stress hormones released during conditions of stress and after alcohol use, have been shown to moderate dopamine activation. A blockade of cort synthesis leads to decreased self administration of alcohol and other drugs of abuse, perhaps by disrupting the positive reinforcement and subjective experience of euphoria. To test this hypothesis in humans, three studies are proposed: 1) Study 1, with 23 subjects per condition, will cross alcohol/placebo with shock/no shock to determine if cortisol release is additive and to establish its effects on self- reported euphoria; and, 2) Study 2 will use a blockade of cortisol by Metyrapone to investigate the role of HPA activation in response to alcohol, stress and their interaction.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31AA005561-02
Application #
6371276
Study Section
Health Services Research Review Subcommittee (AA)
Program Officer
Noronha, Antonio
Project Start
2001-06-01
Project End
Budget Start
2001-06-01
Budget End
2002-05-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$23,767
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Colorado at Boulder
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
City
Boulder
State
CO
Country
United States
Zip Code
80309
LaChance, Heather; Feldstein Ewing, Sarah W; Bryan, Angela D et al. (2009) What makes group MET work? A randomized controlled trial of college student drinkers in mandated alcohol diversion. Psychol Addict Behav 23:598-612