Neurotransmitters

[allegoric]

Anyone with knowledge of brain receptors, neurotransmitters and the connection to alcoholism?

[ashennell]

Mmm. yes some. What do you want to know?

 

The effects of alcohol are pretty complex. Alcohol does not interact with any one particular neurotransmitter system or receptor subtype.

 

Or do you want to know about how various neurotransmitter systems vary during chonic alcohol use?

 

Maybe this should be in the Neuroscience Forum instead.

[theman]

alcohol interacts with the dopamine receptors. but that's about the extent of my knowledge on the subject

[who_knows]

Alcohol acts the Same way as benzodiazaphine drugs.It acts on the GABA receptor supressing communication between brain cells and slowing down brain waves,hence the relaxed feeling.

[ashennell]

The effects of alcoholo nthe Nervous system are quite complex. Primarily, it increases the fluidity and permeabillity of the plasma membrane. Ion channels, involved in neurotransmission, are also effected by ion channels. This rather general mechanism means that alcohol could modulate the function of many different transmitter systems. The effect on GABAergic trasmission has been well studied. Alcohol activates the GABA-A receptor-coupled Cl- channel. This, as has already been mentioned, potentiates, GABAergic transmission. Many of the effects of alcohol can be explained through it's effect on this transmitter system.

 

Alcohol does seem to influence other transmitter systems. In particular, cholinergic and serotonergic transmission is enhanced and NMDA-dependant glutamatergic transmission is reduced. Alcohol also effects mesolimbic and nigrostriatal dopamine transmission. It seems that cronic alcohol intoxication down-regulates the DA systems. I also believe that there is some interaction between alcohol and the opioid system.