Brain GABA levels are reduced in alcoholic liver disease: A proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study

Kirsten C Morley; Jim Lagopoulos; Warren Logge; Andrew Baillie; Claire Adams; Paul S Haber

doi:10.1111/adb.12702

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Brain GABA levels are reduced in alcoholic liver disease: A proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Brain GABA levels are reduced in alcoholic liver disease: A proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study

Kirsten C Morley, Jim Lagopoulos, Warren Logge, Andrew Baillie, Claire Adams and Paul S Haber

Addiction Biology, Vol.25(1), e12702

2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/adb.12702

Appears in Thompson Institute Research Collection

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Abstract

alcohol dependence

alcohol liver disease

baclofen

GABA

Other Collaborations

Thompson Institute Special Collection

Background and aims: Baclofen, a selective γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) B receptor agonist, has emerged as a potential treatment for alcohol use disorder with much unexplained variation in response to treatment efficacy and dose regimen. Several positive studies include patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and/or history of heavy drinking. The aim of this paper was to examine the association of cortical GABA+ concentration with severity of liver disease (including markers of liver injury) and other clinical characteristics in alcohol patients. Methods: Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 1 H-MRS), from the parietal lobe, was analyzed to yield absolute concentration of GABA in 24 alcohol-dependent individuals. Diagnosis of ALD, markers of liver injury, severity of liver disease (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease [MELD]), and alcohol history were assessed. Covariates included concurrent medication, age, and recent alcohol consumption. Results: Multiple linear regression revealed that GABA+ concentration was significantly predicted by MELD scores (F = 5.02, R 2 = 0.59, P = 0.01; MELD: B = -0.63, P = 0.02), when controlling for covariates concurrent medication, age, and recent alcohol consumption. Conclusion: Severity of ALD is associated with lower cortical concentrations of GABA+. These results may explain variations in response to the GABA B agonist, baclofen, in the alcohol-dependent population.

Details

Title: Brain GABA levels are reduced in alcoholic liver disease: A proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study
Authors: Kirsten C Morley (Corresponding Author) - University of Sydney
Jim Lagopoulos (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Warren Logge (Author) - University of Sydney
Andrew Baillie (Author) - University of Sydney
Claire Adams (Author) - University of Sydney
Paul S Haber (Author) - University of Sydney
Publication details: Addiction Biology, Vol.25(1), e12702
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Date published: 2020
DOI: 10.1111/adb.12702
ISSN: 1355-6215
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Thompson Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450618102621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Substance Abuse

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