Effects of naltrexone on adolescent alcohol cue reactivity and sensitivity: an initial randomized trial.

摘要: Adolescent alcohol use is associated with myriad adverse consequences and contributes to the leading causes of mortality among youth. Despite magnitude this public health problem, evidenced-based treatment initiatives for disorders in youth remain inadequate. Identifying promising pharmacological approaches may improve options. Naltrexone an opiate receptor antagonist that efficacious reducing drinking adults by attenuating craving rewarding effects alcohol. Implications these findings adolescents are unclear; however, given randomized trials naltrexone non-existent. We conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled cross-over study, comparing (50 mg/daily) placebo 22 adolescent problem drinkers aged 15-19 years (M = 18.36, standard deviation = 0.95; 12 women). The primary outcome measures were use, subjective responses consumption, alcohol-cue-elicited assessed natural environment using ecological momentary assessment methods, physiological reactivity cue procedures. Results showed reduced likelihood heavy (P's ≤ 0.03), blunted laboratory (P's ≤ 0.04), altered consumption (P's ≤ 0.01). was generally well tolerated participants. This study provides first experimentally controlled evidence reduces craving, alters sample drinkers, suggests larger clinical long-term follow-ups warranted.