The evaluation of drug effects acquires an increasing significance in psychiatric research due to the number of new compounds as well as the need for safety screening for side effects. The present study reports the results of the investigation of effects of buspirone in 57 primary chronic alcoholics, using a double blind method with a placebo control group. Buspirone was administered in doses of 20 mg/day after a two-week wash-out period during which patients in both groups received placebo capsules. After a further two weeks of the study, the buspirone dose was increased to 40 mg/day until completion of the investigation after twelve weeks. Five out of 36 subjects, who completed the study, became abstinent. Detailed characteristics of the study group were obtained, including socio-demographic data, alcohol consumption, Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST), Alcohol-Use-Inventory (AUI), Drinking Behavior Interview (DBI), and psychometric assessment: Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) and Hopkins Symptoms Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R). Statistical analysis of the results was carried out using multivariate analysis of covariance on repeated measures. The HAM-A scale results were improved significantly in patients receiving buspirone. Marked improvement was also observed in Interpersonal Sensitivity Scale (a subscale of SCL-90-R). MENTALIM subscale of AUI demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the buspirone group, when compared to patients receiving placebo. The validity of self reports on alcohol consumption by patient was confirmed by a change in liver enzyme levels: Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGT), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALAT) and the results of the Edwards Hardship Scale. The scores on HAM-A and MADRS scales were higher among the drop-outs than in those who completed the study. The side effects of buspirone were minimal and a good tolerance of the drug was observed.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.55510 |
| Date | January 1994 |
| Creators | Malec, Elizabeth Anna |
| Contributors | Dongier, M. (advisor) |
| Publisher | McGill University |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Coverage | Master of Science (Department of Psychiatry.) |
| Rights | All items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated. |
| Relation | alephsysno: 001426051, proquestno: AAIMM00037, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest. |
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