Do alcoholics have abnormal benzodiazepine receptors?
The behavioral effects of a given amount of ethanol vary greatly between alcoholic and nonalcoholic subjects. A blood alcohol level of more than 150 mg/dL without gross evidence of intoxication is a definitive diagnostic laboratory test for alcoholism (1). In a previous paper, I have proposed that the human body produces a substance similar to caffeine (2). In the present paper, my new concept is used to explain the intriguing ability of alcoholics to tolerate the effects of ethanol. Understanding why alcoholics differ from normal individuals in, their response to ethanol is an important step that will pave the way for the prevention of the transmission of alcoholism to future generations.
Missak
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D000437:Alcoholism / Q000473:pathology*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000378:metabolism*
D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D000431:Ethanol