Clonidine improved laboratory-measured decision-making performance in abstinent
heroin addicts.
Author(s): Zhang XL, Wang GB, Zhao LY, Sun LL, Wang J, Wu P, Lu L, Shi J.
Affiliation(s): National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China.
Publication date & source: 2012, PLoS One. , 7(1):e29084
BACKGROUND: Impulsivity refers to a wide spectrum of actions characterized by
quick and nonplanned reactions to external and internal stimuli, without taking
into account the possible negative consequences for the individual or others, and
decision-making is one of the biologically dissociated impulsive behaviors.
Changes in impulsivity may be associated with norepinephrine. Various populations
of drug addicts all performed impulsive decision making, which is a key risk
factor in drug dependence and relapse. The present study investigated the effects
of clonidine, which decreased norepinephrine release through presynaptic alpha-2
receptor activation, on the impaired decision-making performance in abstinent
heroin addicts.
METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Decision-making performance was assessed using
the original version of Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). Both heroin addicts and normal
controls were randomly assigned to three groups receiving clonidine, 0, 75 µg or
150 µg orally under double blind conditions. Psychiatric symptoms, including
anxiety, depression and impulsivity, were rated on standardized scales. Heroin
addicts reported higher scores on the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale and exhibited
impaired decision-making on the IGT. A single high-dose of clonidine improved the
decision-making performance in heroin addicts.
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results suggest clonidine may have a potential
therapeutic role in heroin addicts by improving the impaired impulsive
decision-making. The current findings have important implications for behavioral
and pharmacological interventions targeting decision-making in heroin addiction.
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