Urinary cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP-c) was measured morning and evening in 35 patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). 65% of the patients revealed a higher night time than day time concentration of AMP-c in the urine, reflecting increased sympathetic adrenergic activity. The circadian rhythm was lost in 88.55% of the 35 patients. The pathogenic factors and mechanisms involved in AWS are discussed and the contribution of sympathetic adrenergic hyperactivity to the onset of the withdrawal syndrome with its concomitant depression of the cholinergic and GABAergic systems is emphasised. Finally it is suggested that insomnia and the loss of REM sleep may also contribute to the onset of the condition.
Adult Alcoholism