Background: Previous imaging studies using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) have shown that alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with a decrease in dopamine type 2/3 receptor (D2/3) binding and dopamine transmission. Although binge drinking is a risk factor for future AUD, little is known about the neurobiology of binge drinking in young adults. This study measured D2/3 receptor binding and stimulant-induced dopamine release using PET and [11C]raclopride in binge drinkers without an AUD.
Methods: This study included 14 healthy controls (HC) and 14 young adult binge drinkers (BD), aged 18-25. The BD met National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) criteria for binge drinking and the HC subjects were social drinkers. The subjects were scanned with [11C]raclopride before and after the administration of oral methylphenidate (60 mg) to measure D2/3 binding and dopamine release.
Results: There was no significant difference in the PET measures of D2/3 binding or methylphenidate-induced dopamine release between the two groups. There was no significant association between Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores or 30-day drinking history and the imaging data.
Conclusion: In this sample of 18-25-year-old binge drinkers without a diagnosis of a substance use disorder, there were no significant differences in D2/3 receptor binding potential or methylphenidate-induced dopamine release relative to healthy controls.
Keywords: Alcohol; Binge drinking; Dopamine; Imaging; PET; Raclopride.
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.