A SINGLE MOLECULE IN THE BRAIN OF ALCOHOLICS
Effects of Ethanol on metabolism
Ethanol within the human body is converted into acetaldehyde by alcohol dehydrogenase and then into acetic acid by acetaldehyde dehydrogenase. The product of the first step of this breakdown, acetaldehyde, is more toxic than ethanol. Acetaldehyde is linked to most of the clinical effects of alcohol. It has been shown to increase the risk of developing cirrhosis of the liver, multiple forms of cancer, and alcoholism.
Drug interactions
Ethanol can intensify the sedation caused by other central nervous system depressant drugs such as barbiturates, benzodiazepines, opioids, and phenothiazines.
Magnitude of effects
Some individuals have less-effective forms of one or both of the metabolizing enzymes, and can experience more-severe symptoms from ethanol consumption than others. Conversely, those who have acquired alcohol tolerance have a greater quantity of these enzymes, and metabolize ethanol more rapidly.
Long-term
The long term effects of alcohol in excessive quantities is capable of damaging nearly every organ and system in the body.Regularly consuming alcohol is correlated with an increased risk of developing alcoholism, cardiovascular disease, malabsorption, chronic pancreatitis, alcoholic liver disease, and cancer. Damage to the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system can occur from sustained alcohol consumption. Research has found a correlation between light consumption of alcohol, one to two alcoholic beverages per day, and reduced risk of heart disease as well as other health benefits, including reduction in all-cause mortality. However, some recent studies found that moderate consumption of alcohol did not decrease heart disease and that the positive effects may be due to methodological flaws in research studies. Many health authorities recommend use of alcohol in low doses, although other health authorities do not recommend the consumption of alcohol and set an upper, but no lower, limit on the amount of alcohol that should be consumed. The subject is still controversial.
The adverse effects of long-term excessive use of alcohol are similar to those seen with other sedative-hypnotics (apart from organ toxicity which is much more problematic with alcohol). Withdrawal effects and dependence are also almost identical. Alcohol at moderate levels has some positive and negative effects on health. The negative effects include increased risk of liver diseases, oropharyngeal cancer, esophageal cancer and pancreatitis. Conversely moderate intake of alcohol may have some benefitial effects on gastritis and cholelithiasis.
Chronic alcohol misuse and abuse has serious effects on physical and mental health. Chronic excess alcohol intake, or alcohol dependence, can lead to a wide range of neuropsychiatric or neurological impairment, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, and malignant neoplasms. The psychiatric disorders which are associated with alcoholism include major depression, dysthymia, mania, hypomania, panic disorder, phobias, generalized anxiety disorder, personality disorders, schizophrenia, suicide, neurologic deficits (eg impairments of working memory, emotions, executive functions, visuospatial abilities and gait and balance) and brain damage. Alcohol dependence is associated with hypertension, coronary heart disease, and ischemic stroke, cancer of the respiratory system, but also cancers of the digestive system, liver, breast and ovaries.
Heavy drinking is associated with liver disease, such as cirrhosis. Studies have focused on both men and women, various age groups, and people of many ethnic groups. Published papers now total in the many hundreds, with studies having shown correlation between moderate alcohol use and health that may instead have been due to the beneficial effects of socialization that is often accompanied by alcohol consumption. Some of the specific ways alcohol affects cardiovascular health have been studied.
Alcohol consumption and health
| BAC (mg/dL) | BAC (% v/v) | Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 0.05% | Euphoria, talkativeness, relaxation |
| 100 | 0.1 % | Central nervous system depression, nausea, possible vomiting, impaired motor and sensory function, impaired cognition |
| >140 | >0.14% | Decreased blood flow to brain |
| 300 | 0.3% | Stupefaction, possible unconsciousness |
| 400 | 0.4% | Possible death |
| >550 | >0.55% | Death |
Birth defects
Ethanol is classified as a teratogen.
Other effects
Frequent drinking of alcoholic beverages has been shown to be a major contributing factor in cases of elevated blood levels of triglycerides.Ethanol is not a carcinogen. However, the first metabolic product of ethanol, acetaldehyde, is toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic.
Research :
A SINGLE MOLECULE IN THE BRAIN OF ALCOHOLICS:
It is a world first that could move very soon the fight against alcoholism. Researchers from CNRS Marseille and University of the Mediterranean are indeed detected for the first time in the brain of an alcohol molecule whose presence was previously unknown in humans: The scyllo inositol, a sugar complex entering the composition of some plants.
SUGAR COMPLEX KNOWN TO DATE IN PLANTS
The experiment was conducted in the Hospital of Timone in Marseille on a fifty-weaned alcohol-dependent patients. “We found that the scyllo-inositol is present in the brains of alcoholics. The more people are dependent, the higher the rate of this molecule is important. However it has not been detected on the group of healthy volunteers. This means that its production is directly linked to the consumption of alcohol, “says Patrick Cozzone, head of biophysics at the Timone.
MADE BY THE ETHANOL PRESENT IN ALCOHOL
According to researchers, the ethanol present in alcohol ingested disrupt the uptake of glucose in the brain and manufacture of scyllo-inositol. “Glucose is the fuel of the brain, says biochimiste.Si processing is normally done is a source of energy for neurons. In alcohol this process is disrupted. “
TOXIC OR NOT?It was already known thanks to MRI (magnetic resolution imaging) that the brain could be morphologically altered by alcohol. “Among the major dependent there encephalitis diverse as atrophy of the cortex and cerebellum, the basis of balance, said Patrick Cozzone. That is why alcoholics stagger. “However, the reasons for these changes were previously unknown.
The discovery team Timone could be considerably forward. “For the moment we do not know if the scyllo-inositol is toxic and if it is causing brain damage, tempers Patric Cozzone. To learn more, we entammons research that should last a year. “
EARLY DETECTION FOR PREVENTING DISEASES
To discover this new molecule, the researchers conducted on the brain of each patient a magnetic resonance spectroscopy, or MRS. This technique requires no act chirurchical, is not to obtain images of the brain with MRI, but to follow the chemical reactions of neurons. “This way of exploring the brain is not new. From the moment a neurologist or an MRI machine, he can practice emphasizes Patrick Cozzone. But this requires time and resources … “The biggest alcoholic Neurology and the world have contacted the team Timone To obtain the results of this study.
Eventually the detection of scyllo-inositol by MRS could be prescribed for all alcohol-dependent in order to prevent brain diseases more severe.
“Nobody drink Alone” Keith Urban
AUDIT : The Alcohol Use Disorders
Identification Test -Guidelines for Use in Primary Care
Because alcohol use disorders are perceived as impacting society as a whole, governments and parliaments have formed alcohol policies in order to reduce the harm of alcoholism. The World Health Organization, the European Union and other regional bodies are working on alcohol action plans and programs.