Cortical GABA levels are reduced in young adult binge drinkers: Association with recent alcohol consumption and sex.

ABSTRACT: Binge drinking refers to a pattern of alcohol intake that raises blood alcohol concentration to or above legal intoxication levels. It is common among young adults and is associated with health risks that scale up with alcohol intake. Acute intoxication depresses neural activity via complex signaling mechanisms by enhancing inhibition mediated by gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), and by decreasing excitatory glutamatergic effects. Evidence primarily rooted in animal research indicates that the brain compensates for the acute depressant effects under the conditions of habitual heavy use. These neuroadaptive changes are reflected in neural hyperexcitability via downregulated inhibitory signaling, which becomes apparent as withdrawal symptoms. However, human evidence on the compensatory reduct

SUBMITTER: Marinkovic K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9240858 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature