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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...
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Synaptic Effects Induced by Alcohol.

David M Lovinger1, Marisa Roberto2

  • 1Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), Rockville, MD, USA.

Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences
|February 10, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Ethanol (EtOH) significantly impacts synaptic function by altering protein activity acutely and chronically. These synaptic changes are crucial for understanding alcohol

Keywords:
DependenceGABAGlutamateIntoxicationMonoamineNeuropeptideNeurotransmitter receptorPostsynapticPresynapticProtein phosphorylationSynaptic plasticityTolerance

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Ethanol (EtOH) affects numerous cellular molecular targets, with significant impacts on synaptic function.
  • Synaptic transmission involves complex interactions between various neurotransmitters and proteins.
  • Alcohol's effects on the brain are mediated through alterations in these synaptic processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and update the literature on the acute and chronic synaptic effects of ethanol.
  • To focus on the relevance of these effects for synaptic transmission, plasticity, and behavior in adult animals.
  • To explore how ethanol-induced synaptic alterations contribute to intoxication, tolerance, dependence, and alcohol-seeking behaviors.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature on ethanol's effects on synaptic proteins and function.
  • Analysis of studies focusing on both acute and chronic ethanol exposure in adult animal models.
  • Examination of the interplay between ethanol, neurotransmitter systems, and synaptic plasticity.

Main Results:

  • Acute ethanol exposure modulates the function of synaptic proteins, affecting neurotransmission.
  • Chronic ethanol exposure leads to adaptive changes in protein expression, localization, and function.
  • These synaptic alterations are intrinsically linked to the neural actions of ethanol, including behavioral responses.

Conclusions:

  • Synaptic function is a primary target for ethanol's acute and chronic effects.
  • Understanding these ethanol-induced synaptic changes is critical for elucidating mechanisms of alcohol intoxication, tolerance, and dependence.
  • The reviewed literature highlights the importance of synaptic plasticity and neurotransmitter interactions in mediating ethanol's behavioral effects.