Neurotransmitter-precursor-supplement intervention for detoxified heroin addicts.

What Was Tested

This randomized controlled trial looks at Neurotransmitter Agents.

This study examined the effects of combined administration of tyrosine, lecithin, L-glutamine and L-5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) on heroin withdrawal syndromes and mental symptoms in detoxified heroin addicts.

Who Took Part

The age groups tagged for this paper are adults, both men and women.

In the cluster-randomized placebo-controlled trial, 83 detoxified heroin addicts were recruited from a detoxification treatment center in Wuhan, China.

Patients in the intervention group (n=41) were given the combined treatment with tyrosine, lecithin, L-glutamine and 5-HTP and those in the control group (n=42) were administered the placebo.

How the Study Was Run

The design is described as randomized, single-blind and placebo-controlled.

Because people in this Neurotransmitter Agents study were split into groups at random, differences between the groups are less likely to reflect who happened to join each one.

Only one side, usually the participants, was kept unaware of whether Neurotransmitter Agents was given.

A placebo (an inactive look-alike) gave the Neurotransmitter Agents group a baseline to be compared against.

What Was Measured

Topics PubMed links to this paper include Dietary Supplements, Heroin Dependence, Neurotransmitter Agents, Placebo Effect and Substance Withdrawal Syndrome.

What This Means in Plain Language

The paper is a randomized, single-blind and placebo-controlled study of Neurotransmitter Agents.

The publication is from 2012 (Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Medical sciences = Hua zhong ke ji da xue xue bao. Yi xue Ying De wen ban = Huazhong keji daxue xuebao. Yixue Yingdewen ban), a journal based in China.

More context: all human trials.