Alcohol

Question 1

What class of drug is alcohol

Answer 1

sedative hypnotic; CNS depressant

Question 2

What is the legal intoxication limit in most states

Answer 2

0.08-0.1%

Question 3

what is the relationship between BAL and probability of getting in a traffic accident

Answer 3

Higher levels of BAL = Higher probability of traffic accident

Question 4

Describe the Ethyl alcohol molecule

Answer 4

Small
No net charge but strongly polar
Absorbed easily in GI tract

Question 5

What is the oil/water coefficent of Ethyl

Answer 5

Just high enough to cross BBB but low enough to NOT be stored in fatty tissue

Question 6

What is the pharmacokinetics of alcohol

Answer 6

Quick Onset
short duration

Question 7

How is the BAC effected across male and females

Answer 7

Females tend to have higher BAC due to less water volume (ethyl has low fat solubility)

Question 8

Describe the absorption rate of alcohol

Answer 8

it takes 1 hour for 90% of EtOH to reach the blood stream

Question 9

what factors can effect the absorption rate of alcohol

Answer 9

Full stomach slows absorption rate
Carbonation speeds absorption rate

Question 10

How is alcohol metabolized

Answer 10

Rate of metabolism is independent of concentration
90% in liver
10% evaporates via lungs

Question 11

what is first order kinetics

Answer 11

A constant proportion of drug is removed in a given amount of time so that with a high blood level the amount metabolized is high (most drugs)

Question 12

what is zero order kinetics

Answer 12

Rate of metabolism is constant over time and independent of concentration (alcohol)

Question 13

what is the rate of alcohol metabolism

Answer 13

0.25-0.3 oz/hour

Question 14

What is the main factor that determines alcohol metabolism

Answer 14

activity of alcohol dehydrogenase

Question 15

What is the difference of alcohol dehydrogenase between men and women

Answer 15

Men have higher amounts of alcohol dehydrogenase

Question 16

What is the pathway of alcohol metabolism

Answer 16

Ethanol –> Acetaldehyde –> Acetic Acid –> CO2 + H20

Question 17

What is the pathway of alcohol metabolism

Answer 17

Ethanol –> Acetaldehyde –> Acetic Acid –> CO2 + H2O

Question 18

what is the rate limiting factor of alcohol metabolism

Answer 18

alcohol dehydrogenase

Question 19

what is step 1 of alcohol metabolism catalyzed by

Answer 19

alcohol dehydrogenase

Question 20

what is step 2 of alcohol metabolism catalyzed by

Answer 20

aldehyde dehydrogenase

Question 21

what is the most likely contributing factor of physiological symptoms of alocohol

Answer 21

build up of acetaldehyde (toxic)
i.e sweating, flushing, nausea

Question 22

What are gene differences in metabolism

Answer 22

genetic variability in aldehyde dehydrogenase; can result in higher levels of acetaldehyde when drinking

Question 23

what is phase A of a single drink

Answer 23

Absorption taking place more rapidly than excretion

Question 24

what is phase B and C of a single drink

Answer 24

absorption tapers off and excretion starts to lower BAL

Question 25

what is phase D of a single drink

Answer 25

absorption is complete and alcohol is eliminated at a constant rate

Question 26

What is cirrhosis

Answer 26

severe hardening and contraction of the liver

Question 27

what does chronic drinking do to the liver

Answer 27

reduces rate at which the liver forms glucose, oxidizes fats, and releases complex fats; fat accumulates causing cell death and fibrosis

Question 28

what is the lethal dose of alcohol

Answer 28

0.5% BAC

Question 29

why is it hard to reach the lethal dose of alcohol hard reach

Answer 29

physiological safe guards: 0.12% --> vomiting 0.35% --> Pass out

Question 30

what are the pharmacodynamics of alcohol

Answer 30

effects membrane fluidity (more fluid) which interrupts channel activity and inhibits movement of Na and K ions

Question 31

How does alcohol effect neuronal activity

Answer 31

increases GABA functioning (positive allosteric modulator of GABA-A) Decreases glutamate functioning

Question 32

What happens with greater GABA activity

Answer 32

inhibition of neurons greater Cl- influx

Question 33

what happens with less glutamate activity

Answer 33

less excitation of neurons

Question 34

What are opioid peptides

Answer 34

Alcohol causes release of alcohol endogenous opioid (endorphins) which acts on mu-opioid receptors to limit GABA release on VTA which increases dopamine onto the NAc

Question 35

How does alcohol act on serotonin receptors

Answer 35

alcohol acts on 5HT3 receptors to depolarize VTA terminals leading to increased DA release

Question 36

what are the physiological effects of alcohol

Answer 36

vasodilation, increasing heat loss, decreases levels of ADH (dehydration), increases stomach acid (hunger)

Question 37

what are the psychological effects of alcohol

Answer 37

CNS depressant more assertive relieves tension reduces anxieties enhances social interaction

Question 38

why is alcohol no longer used as an anesthetic

Answer 38

slow metabolism low therapeutic index slows blood clotting

Question 39

what are the three mechanisms of overall depression of the CNS

Answer 39

reduces release of inhibitory NT reduces firing of inhibitory pathways decreases excitatory NT

Question 40

what is interesting about the peak effects of alcohol and BAC

Answer 40

effects of alcohol are more serious when BAC is rising than when falling

Question 41

what does chronic alcohol use due to the brain

Answer 41

enlargement of ventricles and changes in cortex surface

Question 42

what is wernike-korsakoff syndrome

Answer 42

lack of thiamine (B12) psychosis characterized by inability to remember recent events and learn new information

Question 43

describe tolerance to alcohol

Answer 43

upregulation of NMDA receptors Downregulation of GABA behavior compensation

Question 44

what is hyperexcitability

Answer 44

upregulation of glutamate receptors with chronic exposure to alcohol

Question 45

what is a hangover related to

Answer 45

high levels of acetaldehyde lack of sleep dehydration low blood sugar

Question 46

what are the four stages of alcohol withdrawal

Answer 46

minor symptoms alcoholic hallucinosis withdrawal seizures delirium tremens

Question 47

what are genetic polymorphisms that were identified to increase risk of alcoholism

Answer 47

GABA-a receptors muscarinic acetylcholine receptors D2 and D4

Question 48

what is disulfiram

Answer 48

aversion based pharmacotherapy inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase to allow acetaldehyde accumulation

Question 49

what are some genetic predispositions for alcohol abuse

Answer 49

altered levels of ADH or ALDH 5-HT transporter (more rapid uptake, decreasing levels of serotonin which minimizes effect of alcohol in NAc) GABA-A receptor (decrease effects of alcohol on balance, speech, and coordination)