Alcohol Flashcards
Where is alcohol mostly absorbed?
In the small intestine.
What does drinking on a full stomach cause?
Slow absorption of alcohol leads to lower peak BAC.
People with greater body volume have ____ BAC.
Lower.
People with lower body volume have ___ BAC.
Increased.
Is ethanol able to pass through the BBB?
Yes.
What are the acute effects of ethanol consumption?
Centrally: dizziness, unstable moods, inhibited decision making. Senses inhibited, lesser anxiety, less REM.
Peripherally: dilated vessels near skin, reduced blood clotting.
What are the main enzymes for alcohol metabolism?
Alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase.
What is needed for enzymes to operate?
NAD+.
How is alcohol biphasic? what are the phases?
Metabolism of alcohol causes different effects based on BAC:
Alcohol increasing: stimulatory effects.
Alcohol decreasing: depressant effects.
What is the mechanism of ethanol?
Ethanol modulates both GABA and NMDA receptor activity, causing neuronal activity to become hyper-polarized/inhibited.
At higher ethanol concentrations, which receptor(s) does ethanol have a greater affinity for?
NMDA receptors and voltage-gated calcium channels (INHIBITION).
At lower ethanol concentrations, which receptor(s) does ethanol have a greater affinity for?
GABAa receptors.
What is the lethal dose of ethanol?
O.4-0.5 BAC
What are GABA receptors? What is their function?
A heteropentameric protein consisting of 2-alpha, 2-beta, and one omega subunit. Ligand-gated channel that conducts negative chlorine ions into neuron.
What are NMDA receptors? What is their function?
Heterotetrameric protein consisting of two NR2 and 2 NR1 subunits. Conducts positive ions into neurons.
