Studies suggest that the pathophysiology of alcoholism may differ significantly between men and women. To explore this possibility, we have employed several pharmacological challenge paradigms to compare the behavioral and endocrine responses between male and female alcoholics. Preliminary analysis of our results show that the m- chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP) gives rise to a variety of behavioral responses in women alcoholics ranging from severe anxiety to euphoria. This corresponds to the responses obtained from male alcoholics demonstrated in a previous study. In contrast, very few of the women experienced an m-CPP induced """"""""desire to drink"""""""" response which was demonstrated to occur in approximately 40 percent of the Type II (early onset) male alcoholics.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Intramural Research (Z01)
Project #
1Z01AA000286-08
Application #
6160377
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (LCS)
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
United States
Zip Code