Alcohol

Question 1

Acute alcohol - Glutamate

Answer 1

Decreased Glutamate release
Increased mGluR2/3 activity - decreased neuronal excitability
-ve allosteric modulator of NMDA and AMPA

Question 2

Acute alcohol - GABA

Answer 2

+ve allosteric modulator of GABAa
Enhances Cl- influx
Increased GABA release - acting via presynaptic GABAb (unclear how it works)

Question 3

Acute alcohol - Opioids

Answer 3

Increased synthesis and release

Question 4

Acute alcohol - neurosteroids

Answer 4

Increased release

Question 5

Chronic alcohol - Glutamate

Answer 5

Desensitisation/downregulation of presynaptic mGluR2/3 - increased Glutamate release
Decreased glutamate recylcing by glia
Increased ion channel conductance
Increased NMDAR and AMPAR on post synaptic membrane

Question 6

Chronic alcohol - GABA

Answer 6

Change in GABAa subunits - decreased sensitivity
Change in receptor localisation
No change in receptor number

Question 7

Glial cells

Answer 7

Regulate astrocyte expression

Upregulation of amino acid transporters GLAST and GLT-1

Question 8

Neurodevelopment

Answer 8

Fetal alcohol syndrome
Impairs Glu signalling in developing brain
Reduced NDMA receptors in offspring
Cognitive and developmental impairments

Question 9

Alcohol and opioids

Answer 9

1. Alcohol increases opioid synthesis and release. Increase in opioid action on GABA neurons in VTA
2. Decreases activity of VTA GABA interneurons
3. Disinhibition of VTA dopamine neurons - increased NucA dopamine release leads to reward/euphoria
4. May also act indirectly on NucA to increase reinforcement
5. Inhibiting opioid receptors aid withdrawal