Ethanol syndrome

Procarbazine causes myelosuppression, hypnotic and other effects on the central nervous system, e.g., vivid nightmares. Also, procarbazine causes a disulfiram like syndrome on ingestion of ethanol. 

Ethanol also reduces the activity of the noradrenergic system in the locus coeruleus, and alterations in norepinephrine activity may account for some aspects of intoxication and the abstinence syndrome. The 0.2 antagonist clon-idine and the P-receptor antagonist propranolol reduce some symptoms of alcohol withdrawal (Bailly et al. 1992 Carlsson and Fasth 1976 Dobrydnjov et al. 2004 Kahkonen 2003 Petty et al. 1997 Wong et al. 2003). 

Fadda F, Columbo G, Mosca E, et al Suppression by gamma-hydroxybutyric acid of ethanol withdrawal syndrome in rats. Alcohol Alcohol 24 447-451, 1989 Fine J, Finestone SC. Sensory disturbances following ketamine anesthesia recurrent hallucinations. Anesth Analg 52 428 30, 1973 Freese TE, Miotto K, Reback CJ The effects and consequences of selected club drugs. J Subst Abuse Treat 23 151—156, 2002... 

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a pattern of birth defects caused by maternal consumption of ethanol during pregnancy. It is recognized by growth deficiency, a characteristic set of craniofacial features and neurodevelopmental abnormalities leading to cognitive and behavioral deficits [85]. FAS is considered to be the most common non-hereditary cause of mental retardation. 

Of the following drugs, which would not produce a syndrome of flushing, headache, nausea, vomiting, sweating, hypotension, and confusion after ethanol consumption ... 

Chronic use has been associated with an "amotivational syndrome" characterized by loss of interest in social activities, school, work, or other goal-directed activities. Cannabis use is cited as the cause of this phenomenon, but there is no evidence to support any causal relationship. There is evidence, however, that the symptoms of the "amotivational syndrome" are secondary to depression (Musty and Kraback 1995). In contrast to ethanol, there is no evidence to support that cannabis causes an increase in violent behavior (Murray 1986). However, cannabis use may be contraindicated in those with preexisting psychiatric disturbances such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. 

The withdrawal syndrome from ethanol includes anxiety, insomnia, possibly convulsions and visual hallucinations (delirium tremens - the Dts). It is treated or better still prevented by a calm environment, adequate (but not excessive) hydration, and careful monitoring, with the added use of anticon-vulsive/sedative agents, mainly benzodiazepines to prevent or treat convulsions. The preventive effects of benzodiazepines on withdrawal morbidity has been clearly demonstrated. There do not seem to be major differences between benzodiazepines, such as chlordiazepoxide or diazepam or others. Because of the abuse potential in these highly susceptible patients, these should be rapidly weaned, and proper prevention of relapse instituted. Other drugs such as meprobamate and clomethiazole (Hemineurin) are commonly used in some countries. The effectiveness... 

Alcoholism is among the major health problems in most countries. Dependence on ethanol, as with other addictive drugs, is expressed as drug-seeking behavior and is associated with a withdrawal syndrome that occurs after abrupt cessation of drinking. The ethanol withdrawal syndrome is characterized by tremors, seizures, hyperthermia, hallucinations, and autonomic hyperactivity. 

Ethanol readily passes across the placenta and into the fetal circulation. The fetal alcohol syndrome has three primary features microcephaly, prenatal growth deficiency, and short palpebral fissures Other characteristics include postnatal growth deficiency, fine motor dysfunction, cardiac defects, and anomalies of the external genitalia and inner ear. A definite risk of producing fetal abnormalities occurs when ethanol consumption by the mother exceeds 3 oz daily, the equivalent of about six drinks. 

The immediate concern in the treatment of alcoholics is detoxification and management of the ethanol withdrawal syndrome. Once the patient is detoxified, longterm treatment requires complete abstinence, psychiatric treatment, family involvement, and frequently support from lay organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous. 

Prenatal exposure to ethanol results in a spectrum of abnormalities including, at one extreme, fetal alcohol syndrome, which includes growth retardation, facial anomalies, mental retardation, and microencephaly. Children with less severe prenatal exposures often lack the characteristic facial features of fetal alcohol syndrome, but suffer from a similar pattern of cognitive deficits (Berman and Hannigan, 2000). Mild exposures are associated with variable deficits in motor development and functional delays (Levitt, 1998). 

Diazepam BDZ receptor agonist that facilitates GABA-mediated activation of GABA A receptors Prevention and treatment of acute ethanol withdrawal syndrome ... 

Ethanol All Risk of fetal alcohol syndrome and alcohol-related neurodevelopmental defects... 

Nowhere are the effects of the permeability of the placental membrane more graphic than in the incidence of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) in the children of alcoholic mothers. FAS produces distinctive anatomical features and mental retardation. Ethanol is called a teratogen because it causes genetic malfunction. Recall that thalidomide was a teratogen. 

It is not known whether acetaldehyde, the primary metabolite of ethanol, is involved in the etiology of the human fetal alcohol syndrome (lARC, 1985). 

---