Prolactin serum levels and alcohol craving - an analysis using Lesch's typology

BACKGROUND: Prolactin secretion is closely connected to dopaminergic transmission that is known to play a crucial role in mediating reinforcement and craving in alcoholism. OBJECTIVES: The study was performed to analyze the association between prolactin serum levels and alcohol craving during withdrawal differentiating alcohol-dependent patients using Lesch's typology. METHODS: We assessed 115 male patients with the Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale at early alcohol withdrawal. In addition, serum was obtained to measure prolactin concentration and the patients were classified according to Lesch's typology into one of four subgroups. RESULTS:Correlation analysis showed a significant association between prolactin serum levels and the extent of craving in Lesch's type 2 patients (r=0.32, p=0.015; n=57); however, no association was found for any other subgroup. The results were confirmed comparing patients with low and high craving (Mann-Whitney U test: Z=-2.805, p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: In patients of Lesch's type 2, who are characterized to suffer from anxiety and to use alcohol because of its anxiolytic effects, prolactin is associated with craving during early alcohol withdrawal.