Cellular and behavioral neurobiology of alcohol: receptor-mediated neuronal processes.
Ethanol can be viewed as a receptor modulator, selectively altering neurochemical processes in discrete regions of the CNS. The actions of ethanol at two inotropic receptor systems, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptors, are highlighted in this review. In addition, evidence is presented and discussed concerning the possible effects of ethanol that arise from interactions between these two receptor systems, the interactions of ethanol with phosphorylation states of receptor proteins and with metabotropic receptor systems.
Grant
K A
KA
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1083, USA.
Lovinger
D M
DM
D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D018079:Receptors, GABA / Q000187:drug effects; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000187:drug effects
D018079:Receptors, GABA; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D000431:Ethanol