What's in their drink?
What is the active ingredient found in alcoholic beverages?
Ethyl alcohol/Ethanol
Although about 10% of alcohol is absorbed in the stomach, where is the majority of alcohol absorbed?
The small intestine
What is an increase in membrane potential that makes it less likely for an action potential to occur?
Hyperpolarisation
Chronic alcohol use leads to upregulation in response to reduced glutamate activity. What is this response called?
Neuroadaptation
While Vincent was hanging out with his friend, they told him that he was engaged in heavy drinking. According to Stats Canada, what is considered heavy drinking?
Having 5 or more drinks during one event, 12 or more times in one year.
Located on the dorsal surface of the medulla oblongata, what has been implicated as a chemoreceptor trigger zone for vomiting?
Area Postrema (AP)
A cellular response occurs when a molecule binds with a receptor and activates it. What is this process called?
Receptor Agonism
Which brain pathway is thought to play an important role in the development of alcohol dependence?
The mesolimbic pathway (mesolimbic tract)
According to the lecture, approximately how long does it take for the full effects of one standard drink to be felt after consumption?
About 15–45 minutes, depending on the speed of absorption
Genetic differences can result in flushing, nausea, headaches, and increased heart rate when drinking alcohol. What genetic difference in the enzyme _____ is related to these situations?
Acetaldehyde Dehydrogenase (ADH)
Repeated alcohol use causes upregulation of which neurotransmitter's receptors as a neuroadaptive response?
Glutamate receptors
Vincent has been drinking heavily for years. His brain adapts by increasing the number of glutamate receptors. What is this process called?
Upregulation
The Lancet study found that alcohol use accounted for nearly 10% of global deaths amongst 15-49 year olds and was a leading risk factor for disease. what did the study suggest was the safest level of alcohol consumption?
Safest level of alcohol consumption is none
Besides alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), what second class of liver enzymes can also metabolize alcohol?
Cytochrome P450 enzymes (specifically CYP2E1)
Alcohol enhances the effects of one inhibitory neurotransmitter and suppresses one excitatory neurotransmitter. Name both neurotransmitters.
GABA (inhibitory) and Glutamate (excitatory)
Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that is impacted by the consumption of alcohol. What are the behavioural effects of acute and chronic use of alcohol?
Acute: memory loss
Chronic: rebound hyperexcitability of the abstinence syndrome