Alteration in the function of cerebral neurotransmitter receptors during the establishment of alcohol dependence: neurochemical aspects

Chronic alcohol treatment induces a variety of effects on the metabolism of neurotransmitters and the function of their receptors. Recent studies on alcohol dependence and/or functional tolerance to alcohol have clearly demonstrated that neurotransmitter-gated and receptor-coupled ion channels, as well as neurotransmitter receptor coupled with intracellular mediator systems, such as phosphatidylinositides and cyclic nucleotide-generating systems, are invariably suppressed during alcohol dependence. Future studies on the central actions of alcohol and on alcohol dependence should therefore be directed at the molecular changes in synaptic membrane-bound components such as neurotransmitter receptors, as well as on neurotransmitter release and relevant membrane-bound enzymes.