Cerebral blood flow effects of acute intravenous heroin administration

Abstract We examined acute effects of intravenous diacetylmorphine (heroin) administration — which induces a characteristic biphasic response: A short rush-sensation associated with intense pleasurable feelings followed by a subjectively different period of euphoria on cerebral blood flow. This was...

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Published in:European neuropsychopharmacology 2008-04, Vol.18 (4), p.278-285
Main Authors: Kosel, Markus, Noss, Roger S, Hämmig, Robert, Wielepp, Peter, Bundeli, Petra, Heidbreder, Rebeca, Kinser, Jane A, Brenneisen, Rudolf, Fisch, Hans-Ulrich, Kayser, Sarah, Schlaepfer, Thomas E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Addiction
Adult
Brain - diagnostic imaging
Cerebellum
Cerebrovascular Circulation - drug effects
Diacetylmorphine
Euphoria - drug effects
Euphoria - physiology
Heroin
Heroin - blood
Heroin - pharmacology
Heroin Dependence - diagnostic imaging
Heroin Dependence - physiopathology
Heroin Dependence - psychology
Humans
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
Injections, Intravenous
Internal Medicine
Linear Models
Male
Models, Statistical
Narcotics - blood
Narcotics - pharmacology
Opioid
Oxygen - blood
Psychiatry
Radiopharmaceuticals
Single photon emission computed tomography
Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime
Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
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Summary:Abstract We examined acute effects of intravenous diacetylmorphine (heroin) administration — which induces a characteristic biphasic response: A short rush-sensation associated with intense pleasurable feelings followed by a subjectively different period of euphoria on cerebral blood flow. This was assessed in nine male heroin dependent patients participating in a heroin maintenance program in a setting resembling everyday pattern of heroin abuse.99 mTc-HMPAO was administered 45 s (rush) and 15 min (euphoria) after administration of i.v. heroin and 45 s after administration of saline (placebo). Plasma concentration of diacetylmorphine and its metabolites were measured with high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Compared to the euphoria condition, rush was associated with blood flow increase in the left posterior cerebellar lobe, left anterior cingulate gyrus and right precuneus. Our results are in line with recent reports indicating that the cerebellum is an important component in functional brain systems subserving sensory and motor integration, learning, modulation of affect, motivation and social behaviour, which all play important roles in reinforcing properties of opioids.
ISSN:0924-977X
1873-7862
DOI:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2007.11.007