[Biochemical aspects of dependence on alcohol]

Chronic alcohol intoxication is able to modify the lipid structure and fluidity of synaptosomal membranes and influence hereby the activity of some membraneous enzymes and receptors. These changes could play a key role in the development of alcohol tolerance and dependence. This "membraneous hypothesis" allows to explain, at least in part, the influence of nutritional factors as well as of differences in genetic or individual susceptibility on alcohol dependence. It suggests furthermore the possibility of prevention of alcohol dependence through dietary and pharmacological means.