Alcoholism and depressive disorders: is cholinergic sensitivity a biological marker?

There is an overlap between alcoholism and depressive disorders. However, alcoholics tend to be resistant to the effect of cholinergic agonists, whereas depressives tend to be more sensitive. A recently developed animal model of depression which is more sensitive to cholinergic agonists is also more sensitive to the acute effects of ethanol. These consistent human and animal studies suggest that cholinergic challenges may be helpful in separating alcoholics from depressives.

Duke Scholars

Author Amir H. Rezvani Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neur ...