Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

2nd Year: Drugs and the Mind > Alcohol > Flashcards

Alcohol Flashcards

1
Q

What is the active compound in alcohol?

A

Ethanol.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Is there a specific ethanol receptor in the brain?

A

No.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Which receptors does ethanol bind in the CNS? List 5.

A
  1. nAChR
  2. 5HT3
  3. GABA-A
  4. NMDA glutamate receptor
  5. Opioid receptos
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Although alcohol acts on these 4 receptors, which is responsible for the majority of the effects of alcohol and why?

A

The GABA-A receptor: alcohol binds GABA-A and acts as an agonist, thus increasing the effects of GABA. This causes a predisposition for hyperpolarisation as GABA-A is a ligand-gated Cl- channel, leading to decreased neuronal transmission, giving sedative effects.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Alcohol usage increases levels of dopamine in the reward pathway. Why is this, if GABA transmission in enhanced and GABA inhibits dopaminergic neurons?

A

Alcohol consumption causes an increase in opioid transmission. Opioids affect the reward pathway as they inhibit GABAergic neurons, producing increased dopamine transmission in the VTA. This process is poorly understood.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Alcohol has apparent stimulant effects, like euphoria and enhanced self-confidence. Why?

A

Because the reward pathway is being stimulated.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Why do you feel warm when you drink?

A

Because alcohol causes vasodilation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Why do you become hungry when you drink?

A

Because alcohol increases gastric secretions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Why do alcohol cause frequent urination?

A

It inhibits ADH

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What side effect of drinking alcohol is unique to males?

A

Impotence (ability to develop/maintain an erection.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Describe the absorption of alcohol.

A

It passes rapidly through the stomach and is absorbed in the small intestine.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What can slow the metabolism of alcohol?

A

The presence of food, particularly high-fat food, in the stomach.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How long does it take for alcohol to begin having an effect?

A

5-10 minutes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How long do the effects of alcohol last?

A

Hours.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

How long does it take to reach peak blood alcohol concentration if a) there is no food in the stomach and b) there is food in the stomach?

A

a) 45mins - 1h20mins

b) 1h-2h

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Where is alcohol metabolised?

A

In the liver, although a tiny (but constant) proportion of it is not metabolised and is lost via urine and breath.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Describe the 2 stage metabolism of ethanol.

A
  1. Ethanol is broken down by ADH to acetaldehyde

2. Acetaldehyde is broken down by ALDH to acetic acid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What cofactor do both ADH and ALDH require?

A

NAD+

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Is NAD+ abundant? What effect does this have on alcohol metabolism?

A

No: low NAD+ means the enzymes become saturated at low alcohol concentration. Thus metabolism is concentration independent, this is an example of zero order kinetics.

20
Q

Blood alcohol continues to accumulate with consumption. True or false?

A

True: thus the degree of cognitive impairment is proportional to the amount of alcohol consumed.

21
Q

What lasting effect can alcohol have on the liver in prolonged consumption?

A

Causes ‘fatty liver’, the build up of fatty acids.

22
Q

What 2 conditions can fatty liver lead to?

A
  1. Fibrosis: formation of scar tissue

2. Cirrhosis: chronic tissue degradation, leading to inflammation and fibrosis

23
Q

Alcohol can also causes gastritis, which is damage to the gastric mucosa. How?

A

Because it increases gastric secretion.

24
Q

Alcohol is thought to cause addiction via a) positive and b) negative reinforcement. Give an example of each.

A

a) Reward stimulation via elevated dopamine

b) Alleviation of negative conditions like stress and anxiety due to the enhancement of GABA action

25
Q

Define addiction.

A

The desire to consume a substance with persistence and little control, despite negative consequences.

26
Q

What is normative fallacy displayed in heavy drinkers? How is it caused?

A

When heavy drinkers over-estimate how much others drinks. This may be in an effort to justify their own behaviour, or because they associate with other heavy drinkers so their standards are skewed.

27
Q

Hangovers ensure several hours after alcohol consumption, usually when blood alcohol levels begin to fall. Give 8 symptoms of hangover.

A
  1. Headache
  2. Diarrhoea
  3. Nausea
  4. Fatigue
  5. Sensitivity to light/sound
  6. Tremor
  7. Sweating
  8. Increased pulse
28
Q

What is a) the primary cause of a hangover and b) how is it perpetuated?

A

a) Dehydration

b) Via symptoms like diarrhoea, vomiting and sweating

29
Q

Severity of a hangover is related to consumption. True or false?

A

True.

30
Q

What is a congener?

A

A compound similar to alcohol that is formed in the fermentation process.

31
Q

Congeners can be dangerous. Give an example.

A

Methanol: this is metabolised to formaldehyde and then to formic acid. These compounds are very dangerous and highly toxic. They can cause blindness due to the high levels of dehydrogenases (ADH and ALDH) in the retina.

32
Q

What is tolerance?

A

Decreased effect (sensitisation) with prolonged exposure.

33
Q

What does tolerance cause users to do?

A

Increase their consumption to achieve the same result. This often results in long-term toxicity.

34
Q

When does alcohol withdrawal begin after cessation? How long does it last?

A

In a few hours, lasting for days.

35
Q

List 4 symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

A
  1. Tremor
  2. Sweating
  3. Nausea
  4. Delirium tremens
36
Q

What is delirium tremens?

A

The combination of symptoms like confusion, agitation and hallucination.

37
Q

Why are benzodiazepines often prescribed for delirium tremens?

A

They increase GABA transmission, much like alcohol.

38
Q

What is aversion therapy? Name a drug used in aversion therapy.

A

Drugs like disulpiram (brand name Antabuse) inhibits ALDH. This cause acetaldehyde to accumulate. Acetaldehyde is toxic and produces symptoms like nausea, vomiting, weakness, anxiety, increased HR, chest pain etc. This makes alcohol consumption unpleasant to discourage users from drinking.

39
Q

What is abv?

A

Percentage alcohol by volume, i.e. the no. of units per litre of a particular drink.

40
Q

What is the maximum units per week are recommended for a) men and b) women?

A

a) 21 per week

b) 14 per week

41
Q

What constitutes as heavy drinking in terms of units per week in a) men and b) women?

A

a) 50+ per week

b) 36+ per week

42
Q

What percentage of A&E admissions are alcohol related?

A

35%

43
Q

How many alcohol-related deaths are there per year in a) the UK and b) globally?

A

a) 30,000

b) 3 million

44
Q

How much does alcohol usage cost per year in the UK, due to NHS spending, time off work and alcohol-induced crime?

A

£18-20bn

45
Q

What percentage of the UK population consumes alcohol?

A

90%

2nd Year: Drugs and the Mind (12 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions