Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder
Published on: June 23, 2023
Oxidation of ethanol in the brain and its consequences
Richard Deitrich1, Sergey Zimatkin, Sergey Pronko
1Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
Abstract:
Acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct of alcohol (i.e., ethanol) metabolism, has long been suspected of causing at least some of the central nervous system actions of ethanol. However, the data to support such a hypothesis have been difficult to obtain. One roadblock is the very low blood levels of acetaldehyde following ethanol intake and the finding that even elevated acetaldehyde levels in the blood do not easily gain access to the brain. The recent discovery of the oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde in the adult brain may help explain the acute effects of ethanol.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Oxidation of Alcohols
The process of oxidation in a chemical reaction is observed in any of the three forms:
Hepatic Encephalopathy
Autoxidation of Ethers to Peroxides and Hydroperoxides
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Preparation of Aldehydes and Ketones from Alcohols, Alkenes, and Alkynes
Oxidation of Phenols to Quinones
o-hydroxy phenols are oxidized to o-quinones and p-hydroxy phenols to p-quinones. Such redox reactions involve the transfer of two electrons and two protons. The reversible redox property is crucial in...

