Plasma γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) predicts outcome in patients with alcohol dependence

Frederick Petty, Gerald L. Kramer, Lori L. Davis, Mark Fulton, Bryon Adinoff

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

1. Previous studies have suggested that low plasma GABA levels (≤100 pmol/ml) may characterize a subset of patients with alcohol dependence. 2. In order to assess the clinical relevance of this biologic finding, the authors followed 49 alcohol dependent patients for up to 18 months following inpatient treatment. Treatment outcome was assessed by continuous abstinence and continued contact with research personnel. 3. Alcohol dependent patients with low plasma GABA had significantly better outcome than patients with plasma GABA in the normal control range (101-150 pmol/ml). 4. These findings suggest that plasma GABA measures may prove to be clinically useful in identifying alcohol dependent patients at risk for relapse.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)809-816
Number of pages8
JournalProgress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry
Volume21
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1997

Keywords

  • Alcohol dependence
  • Blood
  • GABA
  • Plasma
  • Prediction
  • Relapse

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Biological Psychiatry

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