title: Gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors and alcoholism: intoxication, dependence, vulnerability, and treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alcohol facilitates gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) function, and GABA type A (GABA(A)) receptor-facilitating agents suppress alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Advances in molecular neuroscience, genetics, and neuroimaging provide new insights into the role of brain GABA systems in short- and long-term alcohol effects.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review the role of brain GABA systems in alcohol response, alcohol dependence, alcoholism vulnerability, and alcoholism pharmacotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Alcohol increases GABA release, raises neurosteroid levels, and may potently enhance the function of a GABA(A) receptor subclass that shows high affinity for GABA and neurosteroids, relative insensitivity to benzodiazepines, low chloride conductance, and an extrasynaptic location. Variation in GABA(A) receptor subunit genes may contribute to the vulnerability to alcoholism, particularly in the context of environmental risk factors. Alcohol dependence is associated with time-dependent changes in brain GABA(A) receptor density and subunit gene expression levels that contribute to a withdrawal-related deficit in GABA(A) receptor function. However, cortical GABA levels are not reduced during acute withdrawal. Benzodiazepine-assisted detoxification enhances a phasic component of GABA function. However, novel treatments target the tonic component of GABA neurotransmission mediated by benzodiazepine-insensitive GABA(A) receptors. Smoking attenuates withdrawal-related disturbances in brain GABA function, perhaps contributing to comorbid nicotine and alcohol dependence. The GABA systems show recovery with long-term sobriety.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recent research deepens our understanding of the role of GABA systems in alcohol action, alcohol dependence, and the vulnerability to alcoholism. Also, GABA(A) receptor subtype-selective treatments merit exploration for reducing withdrawal symptoms and drinking in alcohol-dependent individuals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Division of Human Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, 950 Campbell Avenue, New Haven, CT 06516, USA. john.krystal@yale.edu
authors.forename: John H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Krystal
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Staley
authors.forename: Graeme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: Ismene L
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Petrakis
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaufman
authors.forename: R Adron
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gelernter
authors.forename: Jaakko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lappalainen
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid