Low Galanin Serum Levels are Associated with Anxiety in Opioid-Maintained Patients
Journal Title: Journal of Addiction & Prevention - Year 2016, Vol 4, Issue 1
Abstract
Aim: Heroin dependence is a raising problem. Methods: We measured serum levels of galanin in opioid dependent patients who received dia(cetyl)morphine (DAM) or (levo-) methadone (POL) in a Swiss (12 DAM) and German sample (55 POL/28 DAM). Behavioral symptoms were measured by psychometric tests (Heroin Craving Questionnaire (HCQ), State-Trait Inventory (STAI), Beck Depression Inventory, 2nd edition (BDI-II) and Symptom Checklist-27 (SCL-27)). Results: We found significantly decreased galanin serum levels in opioid-dependent patients. The galanin serum levels were significantly lower in the subgroup of levomethadone treated patients compared to the diamorphine subgroup (MD=-2.65, SD=0.48, p<0.001). Furthermore, we found a significant negative association between galanin serum levels and anxiety (STAI-I (r=-0.383, p=0.003) STAI-II (r=-0.299, p=0.022)). Galanin seems to be an important target for modulating stress reactions (e.g. craving, anxiety) in opioid-dependent patients.
Authors and Affiliations
Adrian Groh
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP202575
- DOI 10.13188/2330-2178.1000024
- Views 115
- Downloads 0
Children of Substance Abusing Parents: Child Behavior Data of Brazilian Service
Determining the relevant risk factors and protective factors as well as the correlation between them is an important tool for preventing substance abuse. A case-control study of addiction and its risk factors was perform...
Player Behavioral Tracking and Personalized Feedback in Online Gambling: Implications for Prevention and Treatment of Problem Gambling
In recent years, participation in online gambling has been growing at a significant rate, as have concerns over its connection to problem gambling. The relationship between online access and problem gambling is complex....
A Factor Analysis of PTSD with Latino Samples with Substance Use Disorders
Objective: The Post - Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) factor structure is not a generally agreed upon concept. It has remained controversial and its’ efficacy regarding different trauma presentations is still in questio...
Alcohol, Condom Use and Sexually Transmitted Infections: A Letter from Russia
Background: The abortion rate in the former Soviet Union was reported to be the world highest, being caused not only by the insufficient availability of modern contraception but also by irresponsible behavior. The alcoho...
Reliability of Surveys on Alcohol Consumption, Sexual Coercion and Contraception
A series of case reports has been started in preceding papers on alcohol misuse, sexual misbehavior and related topics from the last decades of the Soviet period [1-5]. These cases have been reported to the authorities a...