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Biomedical subjects

S L Frederick

Publications and source records attributed to S L Frederick.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Cortisol and response to dexamethasone as predictors of withdrawal distress and abstinence success in smokers.

BACKGROUND: Glucocorticoids have been linked to self-administration of a wide range of drugs in animals and are increased endogenously by chronic nicotine intake. Corticosteroids have also been shown to regulate nicotine receptor sensitivity and to be involved in behavioral sensitization to nicotine. METHODS: Cortisol levels and cortisol suppression in response to dexamethasone were measured in a sample of smokers participating in a smoking cessation treatment trial. RESULTS: Cortisol levels dropped significantly during the early quitting process (2 weeks post-quit) and returned to a level below baseline 1 month post-quit. The magnitude of the initial drop in cortisol was strongly related to post-quit distress and marginally predictive of abstinence. Neither baseline nor post-quit changes in percent cortisol suppression after dexamethasone were related to abstinence success or withdrawal distress. CONCLUSIONS: Withdrawal from cigarette smoking is marked by a reduction in cortisol levels that appears to be related to the degree of distress experienced during the early quitting period. Further work is needed to determine whether withdrawal-related cortisol changes or distress are predictive of abstinence success.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate: an emerging drug of abuse that causes physical dependence.

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a compound found in mammalian brain which meets many criteria of a neurotransmitter. GHB has been investigated as a tool for inducing absence (petit mal) seizures, for use as an anesthetic, and for treatment of narcolepsy, alcohol dependence and opiate dependence. Since 1990 GHB has been abused in the United States for euphoric, sedative and anabolic effects. Coma and seizures have been reported following abuse of GHB, but dependence liability has received little attention. The neuropharmacology, potential therapeutic uses and acute adverse effects of GHB are reviewed, followed by a case series of eight people using GHB. Adverse effects of GHB may include prolonged abuse, seizure activity and a withdrawal syndrome. This withdrawal syndrome includes insomnia, anxiety and tremor; withdrawal symptoms resolve in 3-12 days. GHB has the potential to cause a significant incidence of abuse and adverse effects. Prolonged use of high doses may lead to a withdrawal syndrome, which resolves without sequelae. Educational efforts should address the narrow therapeutic index, possible physical dependence and dangers of combining GHB with other drugs of abuse.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A historically controlled trial of tyrosine for cocaine dependence.

Cocaine dependence continues to be a major public health problem and efforts to develop pharmacotherapies have been disappointing. Chronic cocaine use is believed to cause catecholamine depletion and similarities exist between cocaine withdrawal and major depression. Tyrosine is the dietary precursor to catecholamines and has yielded positive results in small trials of its antidepressant efficacy. Tyrosine 2 g every 8 hours was administered on an open-label basis to 49 cocaine-dependent individuals, as an adjunct to intensive out-patient drug abuse counseling. Retention in treatment at 90 days was compared to data from a control group of 80 subjects who had received 10 mg of imipramine per day in an earlier trial. Median retention was 17 days in both groups. No side effects were reported by the subjects receiving tyrosine. These results do not support the utility of tyrosine in the treatment of cocaine dependence.

Adolescent↗