alcohol + the nervous system Flashcards
what does alcohol / ethanol do to dopamine release and what does this cause
enhances its release
rewarding brain effects
at doses <50mg/dL what does alcohol do
activates arousal mechanisms in the brain stem reticular formation
where is alcohol a positive allosteric modulator and what does it cause
at GABA receptors (low concentrations nM-uM)
depressive effect on the CNS
at higher doses >300-350mg/dL what does alcohol do
sedation / respiratory depression
at which concentration can death occur
400mg/dL
what is the mesocorticolimbic pathway
- increased ethanol
- ventral tegmental area - Glu + GABA –> morphine, ethanol firing decreases
GABA + DA – increased ethanol firing - nucleus accumbens - in DA increases
drink drive limit in Scotland
0.05%
drink drink limit in england
0.08%
0.16% =
nausea
0.2% =
confusion, blackouts
0.25%
severe impairment of cognitive, sensory and motor function
0.35%
sedation
0.4%
coma, death
alcohol interactions with anaesthetics
chronic alcohol consumptions = cross tolerance, increased doses are needed for same effect
alcohol interactions with tricyclic antidepressants
chronic alcohol consumption can increase bioavaliability can increase sedative side effects
