Differences in - and -Opioid Receptor Blockade Measured by Positron Emission Tomography in Naltrexone-Treated Recently Abstinent Alcohol-Dependent Subjects
Neuropsychopharmacology advance online publication 9 May 2007

Blockade of brain -opioid receptor (-OR) and -opioid receptor (-OR) was investigated in recently abstinent alcohol-dependent subjects (N=21) maintained on naltrexone.

The FDA recommended therapeutic dose of naltrexone was sufficient to produce near complete inhibition of the -OR in recently abstinent alcohol dependent subjects.

The lower percent inhibition of -OR and greater variability in -OR blockade by naltrexone across subjects may contribute to individual differences in treatment outcomes to naltrexone.

Further investigations on the relationship between individual differences in -OR blockade by naltrexone and clinical outcomes should be explored.

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