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Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder
Published on: June 23, 2023
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Modulation of neuronal excitability by binge alcohol drinking
Pablo Gimenez-Gomez1,2, Timmy Le1,2,3, Gilles E Martin1,2
1Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States.
Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience
|March 3, 2023
Summary
Binge alcohol drinking significantly impacts brain development and cognitive functions. This review summarizes global effects, preclinical models, and the molecular mechanisms of alcohol
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- Drug use, particularly alcohol, is a global health crisis causing millions of deaths and disability-adjusted life years annually.
- Alcohol is the most widely consumed drug of abuse, posing a significant threat to healthcare systems worldwide.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an up-to-date summary of the global impact of binge alcohol drinking on the brain.
- To explore how binge drinking affects cognitive function development.
- To review preclinical models and molecular/cellular mechanisms underlying these effects.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of global impact studies.
- Analysis of preclinical models for alcohol neurotoxicity.
- Examination of molecular and cellular mechanisms affecting neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity.
Main Results:
- Binge alcohol drinking detrimentally affects brain development and cognitive functions.
- Preclinical models offer insights into neurobiological changes induced by binge alcohol exposure.
- Specific molecular and cellular pathways in the meso-cortico limbic neurocircuitry are implicated.
Conclusions:
- Binge alcohol drinking has profound and widespread effects on brain structure and function.
- Understanding these neurobiological impacts is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.
- Further research into molecular mechanisms is needed to address the public health challenge of alcohol abuse.
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