The Role of GABA in Alcohol Use Disorders
Minhal Zaidi
Alcohol use disorders are a result of heightened pleasure from repeated alcohol drinking behavior. 6 There are genetic components and environmental factors linked to alcohol use disorder. There is genetic heterogeneity in the risk of developing alcohol dependence, with different genetic loci contributing to the risk. 6 The linkage can be narrowed down to either alcohol dehydrogenase gene cluster or GABRB1 gene in different population period. 7 Standard pharmacological treatment consists of naltrexone or benzodiazepine which work by enhancing GABA neurotransmitter effects and reduce the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. GABA is an inhibitory Neurotransmitter made from glutamate and other enzymes which are involved in feeding behavior, stress responses and alcohol seeking behavior. Alcohol binds to GABA B receptors and potentiates GABA activity resulting in the alcohol induced reactions by the body. 4 Stress also results in cortical releasing factor (CRF). Chronic alcohol exposure increases GABA release and CRF production. CRF potentiates release of GABA. 3
Methods
An animal study was performed on a well characterized rat model of long-term alcohol consumption with repeated deprivation phases. Repeated Baclofen administration was performed at different doses and the response was recorded. 2
Results
In animal models. chronic alcohol exposure resulted in alterations of GABA plasticity, signifying changes in GABA production with alcohol consumption. 2 Baclofen, a GABA B receptor agonist with potential to be of therapeutic use in alcohol use disorders was also investigated. In laboratory animal studies on rodents, Baclofen demonstrated to suppress alcohol seeking behavior. 4
Conclusion
GABA plays a significant role in development of alcohol use disorder. Treatment of alcohol use disorder with GABA Agnes is very preliminary and has been proven to be effective in only mice models. Further studies must be conducted on humans to evaluate the role of GABA Agnes and the treatment of alcohol use disorders. Many alcohol use disorder treatments are catered around increasing the unpleasant effects of alcohol and decreasing the pleasant effects of. alcohol which is a very simple approach.
Works Cited:
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