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Related Concept Videos

CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine01:27

CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine

Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...
Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action01:26

Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action

Neurochemical transmission, the conduction of electrical impulses between neurons mediated by neurotransmitters, plays a vital role in various physiological processes. Autonomic drugs exert their effects by modulating neurotransmission within the autonomic nervous system. For instance, drugs such as hemicholinium block the precursor uptake necessary for synthesizing acetylcholine, an essential autonomic neurotransmitter. Following synthesis, neurotransmitters are stored in vesicles. Metyrosine...
Neurotransmitters01:31

Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are essential chemical messengers within the nervous system, facilitating the communication between neurons. These chemical messengers, varying in function and effect, are critical for sustaining various aspects of neurological health and emotional well-being.
Neurotransmitters01:30

Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters play a crucial role in the communication between neurons in the autonomic nervous system. Neurons in the autonomic nervous system can be cholinergic or adrenergic depending on the neurotransmitters synthesized. Cholinergic neurons use acetylcholine as their primary neurotransmitter. This includes all the preganglionic fibers of the sympathetic and pre- and postganglionic fibers of the parasympathetic nervous systems. In addition, neurons of the somatic nervous system also use...
Depressants01:28

Depressants

Depressant drugs, including alcohol and sedative-hypnotics, diminish central nervous system activity by enhancing the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that reduces brain activity and promotes relaxation. These substances can have various therapeutic uses but also pose significant risks, especially when misused or combined.
Alcohol is a common depressant that can induce a sense of relaxation and reduced inhibition at low doses. Contrary to its occasional...
Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters01:29

Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters

When an action potential reaches the presynaptic axon terminal, it releases neurotransmitters from the neuron into the synaptic cleft at a chemical synapse. The released neurotransmitter can be excitatory or inhibitory. The critical criteria commonly used to determine whether a molecule is a neurotransmitter at a chemical synapse are the molecule's presence in the presynaptic neuron. Second, its release is in response to strong presynaptic depolarization. And lastly, the presence of specific...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Disruption of Frontal Lobe Neural Synchrony During Cognitive Control by Alcohol Intoxication
09:26

Disruption of Frontal Lobe Neural Synchrony During Cognitive Control by Alcohol Intoxication

Published on: February 6, 2019

Alcohol and central neurotransmission.

H Ollat1, H Parvez, S Parvez

  • 1Association pour la neuro-Psycho-Pharmacologie, 16 Boulevard de Charonne, 75020 Paris, France.

Neurochemistry International
|August 5, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Alcohol impacts central neurotransmission, affecting neuronal functions and contributing to addiction. Chronic alcohol use leads to neurotransmitter system depletion, driving dependence and withdrawal symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Addiction Research

Background:

  • Studying alcohol's effects on central neurotransmission is complex due to individual variability and methodological challenges.
  • Existing animal models for alcoholism are limited, and human studies face significant hurdles.
  • Despite difficulties, a bidirectional relationship between alcohol and central neurotransmission is recognized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the intricate relationship between alcohol consumption and central neurotransmitter systems.
  • To understand the neurobiological underpinnings of alcohol-related behaviors and addiction.
  • To explore the roles of specific neurotransmitter systems in alcohol craving, tolerance, and dependence.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on alcohol's neurobiological effects.

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Flypub To Study Ethanol Induced Behavioral Disinhibition and Sensitization
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Flypub To Study Ethanol Induced Behavioral Disinhibition and Sensitization

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Last Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Disruption of Frontal Lobe Neural Synchrony During Cognitive Control by Alcohol Intoxication
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Disruption of Frontal Lobe Neural Synchrony During Cognitive Control by Alcohol Intoxication

Published on: February 6, 2019

Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder
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Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder

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  • Analysis of human studies and animal models concerning alcohol and neurotransmission.
  • Examination of the acute and chronic effects of ethanol on various neurotransmitter systems.

    • Main Results:

    • Ethanol acts as a GABAergic agonist and stimulates monoaminergic systems short-term.
    • Chronic alcohol intoxication leads to membrane tolerance and depletion of neurotransmitter synthesis.
    • Hypofunctioning of neurotransmitter systems (noradrenergic, GABAergic, serotoninergic) is linked to craving, while dopaminergic and opioid systems mediate reinforcement.
    • Neurotransmitter system hypofunction contributes to tolerance and dependence, exacerbated during withdrawal, especially GABAergic deficiency.

    Conclusions:

    • Alcohol significantly disrupts central neurotransmission, influencing behavior and addiction.
    • Neurotransmitter system dysregulation, particularly GABAergic deficiency, plays a critical role in alcohol dependence and withdrawal.
    • Understanding these complex interactions is crucial for developing effective treatments for alcoholism.