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The role of beta-carbolines (harman/norharman) in heroin addicts

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

R Stohler
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Basel, CH-4025Basel, Switzerland
H Rommelspacher
Affiliation:
Institute of Neuropsychopharmacology, Freie University of Berlin, D-14050Berlin, Germany
D Ladewig
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Basel, CH-4025Basel, Switzerland
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Summary

Endogenous substances resulting from interactions between alcohol and possibly opioid metabolites and neurotransmitters (dopamine, indolamines) could be mediators of the pathochemical process towards dependence. Beta-carbolines (harman/norharman) are increased in alcoholics and — according to the presented results — in heroin addicts. Psychopathological disorders such as anxiety or depression do not seem to influence the level of beta-carbolines.

Type
Rapid communication
Copyright
Copyright © Elsevier, Paris 1995

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References

Schuckit, MAPopulation genetically at high risk of developing alcohol abuse or dependence. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 1990;3: 375–910.1097/00001504-199006000-00010CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rommelspacher, HBüchau, CWeiss, JHarman induces preference for ethanol in rats: Is the effect specific for ethanol?. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1987;26: 749–55CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rommelspacher, HSchmidt, LGMay, TPlasma norharman (beta-carboline) levels are elevated in chronic alcoholics. Alcoholism: Clin Exp Res. 1991;15: 553–9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
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