Affect on GABA function(~>.06 BAC)
GABA is major inhibitory neurotransmitter
Alcohol Potentiates GABA receptor function
GABA receptor is site of action of
- sedative/anesthetic barbiturate, pentobarbitol
- sedative/anxiolytic benzodiazipines
Major Site of Affects include:
- medial septal nucleus -- controls “arousal state”
- Purkinje neurons in cerebellar cortex -- controls sensory and motor activity
RO 15-4513 overcomes motor impairment
SOURCE: Eighth Special Report to the US Congress on Alcohol and Health, US Dept. of HHS (1993), p 86-94