Alcohol gamma-aminobutyric acid

Petty F, Kramer GL, Davis LL, et al Plasma gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) predicts outcome in patients with alcohol dependence. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry21 809-816, 1997... 

The mechanism of action of acamprosate in the maintenance of alcohol abstinence is not completely understood. Chronic alcohol exposure is hypothesized to alter the normal balance between neuronal excitation and inhibition. Studies suggest acamprosate may interact with glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter systems centrally, and have led to the hypothesis that acamprosate restores this balance. 

Mechanism of Action An alcohol abuse deterrent that appears to interact with glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid neurotransmitter systems centrally, restoring their balance. Therapeutic Effect Reduces alcohol dependence. Pharmacokinetics Slowly absorbed from the G1 tract. Steady-state plasma concentrations are reached within 5 days. Does not undergo metabolism. Excreted in urine. Half-life 20-33 hr. 

GABA (gamma- aminobutyric acid) Inhibitory. Secreted by neurons in the cerebral cortex, subcortical area, and spinal cord. Anxiety states, also involved in chemical dependency. Diffusely affected by many medications. Many antianxiety medications work on GABA receptor sites, especially in the frontal lobe of the brain. Alcohol, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates all affect GABA receptors, as do other drugs. 

Boehm SL 2nd, Ponomarev I, Jennings AW, Whiting PJ, Rosahl TW, Garrett EM, Blednov YA, Harris RA. gamma-Aminobutyric acid A receptor subunit mutant mice new perspectives on alcohol actions. Biochem. Pharmacol. 2004 68 1581-1602. 

The sedative and hypnotic effects of benzo diazepines are accentuated by other drugs acting on the gamma-aminobutyric acid, (GABA ) receptor, especially barbiturates and alcohol. However, there are fewer drug... 

Vescovi, P. R, Volpi, R., and Coiro, V. 1998. Alcoholism abolishes the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic control of GH secretion in humans. Alcohol 16 325-28. 

Oxazepam (10 to 25 mg t.i.d.) is a benzodiazepine that potentiates action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter, resulting in increased neuronal inhibition and CNS depression, especially in the Um-bic system and reticular formation. It is indicated in the control of anxiety, anxiety associated with depression control of anxiety, tension, agitation, and irritability in the elderly and in the treatment of alcoholic patients with acute tremulousness, inebriation, or anxiety associated with alcohol withdrawal. 

Acetylcholine is formed from choline (which is also an important constituent of phospholipids) and acetyl CoA under the catalytic influence of choline acetyl-ase. It is hydrolised by acetylcholinesterase or choline esterase. Two important steps in the formation of noradrenaline from tyr dopa decarboxylase and dopamine hydroxylase. Adrenaline is formed from noradrenaline by phenyl ethanolamine A -methyltransferase. Both noradrenaline and adrenaline are metabolised by catechol 0-methyl transferase or monoamine oxidase. Some later steps in their metabolism involve aldehyde dehydrogenase and alcohol dehydrogenase (aldehyde reductase), After hydroxylation to its 5-hydroxy derivative, tryptophan is converted by 5-hydroxytryptophan decarboxylase to 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin). The major routes of serotonin metabolism involve either monoamine oxidase or hydroxyindole 0-methyltransferase. Histamine is synthesised from histidine by histidine decarboxylase, and is metabolised by either diamine oxidase or histamine Af-methyltransferase. Gamma aminobutyric acid is formed by glutamate decarboxylase and metabolised by... 

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