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

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