The neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist aprepitant in co-morbid alcohol dependence and posttraumatic stress disorder: a human experimental study.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcoholism are frequently comorbid, suggesting the possibility of overlapping neural substrates. The neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor for substance P (SP) has been implicated in both stress- and alcohol-related behaviors. The NK1 antagonist aprepitant, clinically available as a treatment for chemotherapy-induced nausea, offers a tool to probe a potential role of the SP/NK1 system in comorbid PTSD and alcoholism.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of aprepitant for treatment of comorbid PTSD and alcoholism.

Methods

Fifty-three patients with PTSD and alcoholism were admitted for 4 weeks to an inpatient unit at the NIH Clinical Center and randomized to double-blind aprepitant (125 mg/day; based on PE

SUBMITTER: Kwako LE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4512162 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature